Research Paper

The Benefits and Limitations of Social Networking

BY PARiS STROiVI AND ROBERT STROM

Studies that evaluate the influence of blogs on student attitudes, behaviors, and mo- tivation have yet to emerge. However, these benefits can be anticipated:

• When children share their impressions, reciprocal learn- ing can occur.

• There may be a sense of as- surance in confirming personal views are shared.

• Dialogues and debates are welcomed by teens whose con- versations with adults may of- fer little opportunity to express opinions and challenge logic.

• Communicating with age mates from other backgrounds

yields appreciation for cultural diversity that may not be rep- resented at the school students attend.

The following guidelines for online users support civil dialogue and safety:

1. Do not share personal or private information.

2. Do not harass or threaten others.

3. Do not cyberstalk, spam, or send unwanted messages.

4. Do not insult other races, cultures, genders, sexual life- styles, or religions.

5. Do not post, transmit, or distribute obscene, sexually explicit, vulgar, pornographic, ethnically offensive, or untrue content.

6. Do not solicit sexually

Paris Strom ([email protected]) is a professor at Auburn (AL) University. Robert Strom ([email protected]) is a professor at Arizona State University, Tempe. Condensed, with permission, from the Child Research Network. Read the article in its entirety at www. childresearch. net.

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THE EDUCATION DIGEST

explicit photos or text. 7. Do not post or transmit

photographic violent images of youth.

8. Do not disrupt the flow of blogs with abuse, repetitive posts, and off-topic content.

9. Do not impersonate any- one.

10. Do not steal a password, account data, or other informa- tion.

11. Do not post material cre- ated by others without direct permission and authorization.

12. Do not post advertising for goods and services.

13. Do not include URLs for sites that violate any of these rules.

14. Do not post anything inappropriate.

The Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California surveys 2,000 households each year to find out how online technology affects Internet users. Find- ings in the latest report show social networks are increasing and a majority of users re- port feeling as strongly about their communities online as their real-world communities. In fact, 75% report participat- ing in communities related to social causes on the Internet. Nearly 90% are involved in so- cial causes new to them since

their involvement with online communities. The growth of online communities is creating a range of new sources for posi- tive social change.

Some disadvantages of so- cial networks deserve consid- eration. A majority of parents expressed discomfort about the increasing amount of time their children spent in online communities because it takes away from time spent with the family.

Excessive Texting Texting while driving is seen

as a dangerous form of multi- tasking for teenagers. Addi- tional hazards may be related to excessive involvement with texting. Researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine surveyed 4,200 high school students to determine the association between use of communications technology and health behaviors. Results indicated excessive users of texting and social networking are much more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors.

Being hyper-texters, defined as texting 120 or more mes- sages a day, was reported by 20% of the teenagers, many of whom were female, minor- ity, low income, and did not have a father present at home.

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Benefits and Limitations of Social Networking

Survey outcomes showed that hyper-texters are 40% more likely to have tried cigarettes than those who spend less time texting; 43% more likely to be binge drinkers; 41% more likely to engage in substance abuse; 55% more likely to have been in a physical fight; 3.5 times more likely to have had sex; and 90% more likely to report having had four or more sexual partners.

These findings suggest that, when texting and other forms of staying connected are not mon- itored by adults, there could be adverse health effects.

Excessive Social Networking

Hyper-networking adoles- cents, defined as spending three hours or more each day on social networking sites, is. also risky. Of teens surveyed, about 12% reported spending over three hours a day social networking. This subpopula- tion was found to be 62% more likely to have tried cigarettes; 70% more likely to have tried alcohol; 69% more likely to have used illicit drugs; 94% more likely to have been in a physical fight; 69% more likely to have had sex; and 60% more likely to report having had four or more sexual partners.

Social Network Improvement

Robert Epstein, in The Case Against Adolescence, argues against blaming brain develofv ment as the primary cause for foolish risks taken by adoles- cents. Instead of tracing poor judgment to a delayed rate of brain growth in the frontal cor- tex, he suggests placing more attention on the 24/7 immersion within a peer culture facilitated by cell phones and the Internet. Many youth are in contact with friends 70 hours a week but may lack meaningful contact with important adults in their lives. Some spend only brief periods with parents, and often it is time watching television, eating, or checking in by phone. Epstein argues that adolescents are infantilized by our culture, causing isolation from adults and motivating them to com- municate almost entirely with their peers.

A potentially powerful solu- tion is to increase the amount of time students spend with relatives, allowing them to join the adult world in as many ways as possible. This requires adults to have a different way of looking at youth, recognizing their capabilities and nurtur- ing talents. More contact with trustworthy adults online and

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in person along with increasing responsibility is necessary to replace a strictly peer-driven communication environment. The trajectory for mutually ben- eficial relationships between adults and adolescents requires sustained interaction rather than permitting the Internet social sites limited to peers to substitute for dialogue within families. This need is illustrated by a three-generational study in Taiwan. A sample of 116 grand- mothers were asked how often they communicated with their 116 adolescent granddaughters using any electronic medium. The answer given by 95% was "Never."

Finding ways to improve social networking of children should be assigned high priori- ty. Here are some possibilities:

• Partnerships between schools and businesses to help explore careers.

• Students post recreational reading reactions for classmate consideration.

• Indigenous mentors an- swer student questions on as- pects of their culture.

• A question and answer site on using the Internet to improve schoolwork.

• Enabling students learning a language to practice interact- ing with others.

• Having parents help chil- dren create profiles to go on social networks.

• Peer counseling as a source of guidance regarding concerns at school.

• A polling site where stu- dents inform adults about their concerns.

• Pen pals across national boundaries through matching mutual interests.

• A support group for chil- dren facing similar challenges led by counselors:. )

• School chat rooms by grade level for students moni- tored by counselors.

• A site with volunteer op- tions for children often ex- cluded because of age.

• A place for children to dis- play drawings or pictures and obtain feedback.

• An online book club where children share literature they read. •

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