Leveraging Social Media Communication for Student Engagement

This study examined the utilization of social media as a communication tool for learning and its influence on student engagement in Lianga National Comprehensive High School during the Academic Year 2025–2026. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 173 students and 39 teachers using a validated, researcher-developed questionnaire. At the same time, qualitative insights were obtained through interviews with 39 purposively selected participants and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Findings revealed that Messenger and Facebook were the most frequently used platforms, with most respondents engaging on social media daily for 1 to 3 hours. Social media was perceived as highly useful, particularly for enhancing skill development, access to resources, and motivation to learn. Results further indicated that teacher digital competence significantly influenced students’ intentional and productive use of social media for academic purposes. The study concludes that social media can serve as an effective educational platform when guided by structured instructional practices, responsible digital engagement, and supportive institutional policies that maximize learning benefits while minimizing distractions.