Abstract

ABSTRACT 

Peer group is an important agent of learning during adolescence and a new form of peer group has emerged in the 21st century called virtual peer group. The objectives of this paper are to explore the affirmatory and nugatory influence of Facebook virtual peers in shaping the attitudes and behavior of adolescents. A triangulation method is followed to explore the objectives where a total of 80 respondents were interviewed using the survey method for quantitative data through simple random sampling and In-depth interviews (IDI) to gather qualitative data. A theoretical and conceptual framework has been developed to understand the study concept more precisely. Quantitative data was analyzed through Ms. Excel and qualitative data was analyzed through narrative analysis. This study has found that the way adolescents think, talk, behave, eat, and dress is positively or negatively influenced by the virtual peer group with who they are connected 24 hours through Social Networking Sites.

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