An Investigation of the Social Network System Competencies of High School Students in Japan

Abstract

We investigated the Social Network System (SNS) competencies of high school students in Japan. Student groups (from cities or regional areas) and the opinions of their teachers were compared. Twenty-five UNESCO criteria in three competency categories were selected. By two-way analysis of variance and paired-comparisons, we detected a significant difference in the opinions of students and teachers. Although the magnitude of the difference was small, by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons, the city and regional groups also differed from each other. Performance criteria items of risk awareness were valued the highest and most important in all groups; whereas technical skills and socio-cultural skills were reported as less proficient and less important by all groups. Classification of SNS-type was used, and the data of SNS sites with which the students were familiar and the mean values of related performance criteria items were applied to view the situation of students. By this approach, we confirmed that students are savvy in navigating socializing SNSs. Based on our findings, we propose important learning and societal-public activities relevant to SNSs.