Awareness & utilization of Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) on social media

Abstract

School employees are generally free to use their social media and other online accounts for personal use as they wish. However, employees should be aware that their Internet posts have the potential to cause a substantial disruption at school, and could give rise to a need for discipline (Oregon School Board Association, March 2017). This study involved 66 school personnel consisted of 6 top level administrators, 9 middle level administrators, 32 faculty, and 19 non-teaching staff employed in a private school during the school year 2020-2021. Samples were taken employing Criterion Sampling. Sequential explanatory mixed method research design was used in this study. It started with collecting and analyzing quantitative data using a validated and reliability-tested two sets of researcher-made instrument that was used to determine the school personnel's level of awareness on data privacy and their degree of personal information shared on social media. The second phase is the collection and analyses of the qualitative data as a follow-up to the quantitative results to assist in explaining and interpreting the findings of a quantitative study that need further clarification. An interview was conducted to the select participants to gather information about the confidence level of school personnel when it comes to sharing information in social media, what made them feel confident, the reasons why they limit their posting of information in social media, and the reasons why they sometimes prefer staying alone but other times like to get involved in social interactions. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that school personnel are "extremely aware" of the Data Privacy Act and have a "low" degree in sharing their personal information on social media. There is a significant relationship between the level of awareness of school personnel about Data Privacy Act and their degree of personal information shared on social media. These findings indicate that school personnel of Assumption Iloilo are extremely aware of the Data Privacy Act of 2012. They keep themselves abreast and aware of data privacy law and how it relates to their work at school. Experiences and knowledge through readings and seminars about Data Privacy Act have helped them become knowledgeable. They are careful in sharing information about themselves since they are aware of the data privacy laws and the perceived legal threats. The reasons why they limit their posting of information are related with their need for a private life and the risk of exposing themselves online. A primer on data privacy and security for the school personnel was crafted based on the results of the study. The design of the primer was based on the weak areas of the outcomes of the survey in consideration also with the results on the significant relationship between school personnel's' awareness on data privacy and their degree of personal information shared on social media. This primer has undergone face validation by three experts on the field of law, ICT, and education. It was presented through an infographics.