Social Networking Sites are Distracting Children and Affecting Academic Performance by Savitha.C.

Muppala on November 22, 2010 at 6:50 PM Child Health News A study has pointed out that social networking sites are being blamed for the poor performance of students. According to a report, children who spend much of their time online find it harder to concentrate in class, are permanently distracted and have shorter attention spans. Teachers also put the dip in the quality of children's homework down to their willingness to spend their evenings on Facebook and Twitter instead of studying. And many are unhappy at the increase in the number of children who are using textspeak or social networking chat - such as 2mor, msg, lol and bk - in place of English grammar. The worrying stats emerged in a study of 500 teachers conducted by leading school trips provider JCA - which motivates personal and social development outside the classroom. "This research clearly demonstrates that students up and down the country are spending more and more time using social media," the Daily Mail quoted a spokeswoman for JCA Janie Burt as saying. "Rather than relying on life experiences, educational travel and face to face interaction with others, children are becoming obsessed with social networking and this is shaping their attitudes instead. "And as the teachers spell out, it is this obsession which has a direct impact on the future of our children - affecting their grades because they fail to complete their homework on time or to the standard required, and being unable to concentrate in class," Burt added.

Review On Related Literatur : Social Networking

Social network sites (SNSs) are increasingly attracting the attention of academic and industry researchers intrigued by their affordances and reach. This special theme section of theJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication brings together scholarship on these emergent phenomena. In this introductory article, we describe features of SNSs and propose a comprehensive definition. We then present one perspective on the history of such sites, discussing key changes and developments. After

briefly summarizing existing scholarship concerning SNSs, we discuss the articles in this special section and conclude with considerations for future research. Introduction Since their introduction, social network sites (SNSs) such as MySpace, Facebook, Cyworld, and Bebo have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. As of this writing, there are hundreds of SNSs, with various technological affordances, supporting a wide range of interests and practices. While their key technological features are fairly consistent, the cultures that emerge around SNSs are varied. Most sites support the maintenance of pre-existing social networks, but others help strangers connect based on shared interests, political views, or activities. Some sites cater to diverse audiences, while others attract people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious, or nationality-based identities. Sites also vary in the extent to which they incorporate new information and communication tools, such as mobile connectivity, blogging, and...

Does social networking improve or decrease academic performance?

We've seen a number of articles lately arguing (with data) for one side or the other. Research from a professor at the University of Maryland indicates that students are forming important bonds on social networking sites. When kids feel connected and have a strong sense of belonging to the school community, they do better in school, said Christine Greenhow, an education professor at University of Maryland. They persist in school at higher rates and achieve at higher rates. ... Its pretty promising that engaging in social networking sites could help them to develop and deepen their bonds over time. Greenhow surveyed 600 low-income high school students and found that good things were happening on social networking sites: friendship development and even gathering information about colleges and careers. On the other hand, one study found that college students' use of Facebook is linked to lower grades. In a study of 219 sutdents at Ohio State (102 undergrads and 117 grad students), Facebook users had GPAs between 3.0 and 3.5 while non-users had GPA's between 3.5 and 4.0. These two findings don't necessarily conflict. It is clear that Facebook can be a distraction, but that there are elements of social networking that enhance a students' experience and performance. GoingOn's Academic Engagement Network is designed to serve this exact need - a social networking site centered on academic life, rather than strictly social life. Students can find relevant information, connect with each other, and build their academic identities without the distracting elements of Facebook (applications, relationship status, party photos, etc). What do you think? What is the place of social networking in education? Are students better or worse off using the myriad of tools they do today?

We've seen a number of articles lately arguing (with data) for one side or the other. Research from a professor at the University of Maryland indicates that students are forming important bonds on social networking sites. When kids feel connected and have a strong sense of belonging to the school community, they do better in school, said Christine Greenhow, an education professor at University of Maryland. They persist in school at higher rates and achieve at higher rates. ... Its pretty promising that engaging in social networking sites could help them to develop and deepen their bonds over time. Greenhow surveyed 600 low-income high school students and found that good things were happening on social networking sites: friendship development and even gathering information about colleges and careers. On the other hand, one study found that college students' use of Facebook is linked to lower grades. In a study of 219 sutdents at Ohio State (102 undergrads and 117 grad students), Facebook users had GPAs between 3.0 and 3.5 while non-users had GPA's between 3.5 and 4.0. These two findings don't necessarily conflict. It is clear that Facebook can be a distraction, but that there are elements of social networking that enhance a students' experience and performance. GoingOn's Academic Engagement Network is designed to serve this exact need - a social networking site centered on academic life, rather than strictly social life. Students can find relevant information, connect with each other, and build their academic identities without the distracting elements of Facebook (applications, relationship status, party photos, etc).

What do you think? What is the place of social networking in education? Are students better or worse off using the myriad of tools they do today?