Social Networking – Boon or Bane? Student’s Perception of the Role Social Networking Plays in Helping (or Hindering) Learning

Abstract

Aim/Purpose: The study focuses on how 107 third and fourth year college students use social networking sites to communicate, to coordinate activities, and to collaborate with family members, classmates, and friends. Background This research study looks at the students’ social networking site usage patterns, their frequency of use, online social behavior as well as awareness of risks relating to privacy and unsolicited attention from strangers. Methodology: This study used a questionnaire to elicit business management students’ perception of social networking’s impact on learning, on relationships with peers, and on the development of critical social and business skills. Contribution: This research study seeks to explore students’ perception of the importance of social networking sites in their lives as students. This offers an insight to how the respondents use social networking sites, who they interact with on these sites, and how it impacts their family life and academic life. Findings: The study finds that overall, the impact of social networking among these respondents has been positive though it has yet to help all of the students to find a balance between their personal and academic lives. Recommendations for Practitioners: Studying the social networking usage behavior of students can help teachers assist and guide them, even beyond class hours, on academic, personal, and career matters. Impact on Society: While focused on a very small sample of third and fourth year students in the Philippines, the study hopes to offer parents, elders, faculty, and school administrators an insight into the impacts of social networking sites on the lives of students, and to present possible ways to help these young people cope with the pressures of living in a networked, totally connected, 24/7 world. Future Research: Instances and responses to cyberbullying; the possibility of self-harm or feelings of isolation stemming from unrestricted social networking site use; the role of self-discipline in limiting use of social networking sites during school days.