Positive Impact of Social Media On Colle

POSITIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON COLLEGE STUDENTS
Introduction
The definition of social media is “the relationships that exist between network of
people” (Walter & Riviera, 2004). In the last ten years, the online world has changed
dramatically. Thanks to the invention of social media, young men and women now
exchange ideas, feelings, personal information, pictures and videos at a truly

astonishing rate. Seventy-three percent of wired American teens now use social
media websites (Oberst, 2010). Schill (2011) states that the social media sites
encourage negative behaviors for teen students such as procrastination (catching up
with friends), and they are more likely to drink and drug. However, every day, many
students are spending countless hours immersed in social media, such as
Facebook, MySpace, World of Warcraft, or Sim City. At first glance this may seem
like a waste of time; however it also helps students to develop important knowledge
and social skills, and be active citizens who create and share content. At present,
whether social media is favorable or unfavorable, many students utilize these sites
on a daily basis. As social media sites continue to grow in popularity it is our belief
that technology is a vital part of today’s student success equation. Many researchers
have been diving into a considerable amount of research on how social media
influences student retention at colleges. Many parents are worried that their college
students are spending too much time on Facebook and other social media sites and
not enough time studying. Therefore, our research ascertains the relationship
between the social media and students’ study efficiency.
A lot of criticism has been leveled at social media and the effect it has on the way
students process and retain information, as well as how distracting it can be.
However, social media offers plenty of opportunities for learning and interactivity, and
if you take a moment to think about it, it’s not too hard to see how students benefit
from using social media. As younger generations use such technology in the
classroom, they remake the educational landscape.
Students are experiencing the world through more than just books and assignments;
they are learning and adapting to the world using a relatively new form of
communication. In a world where connections are important, graduates are coming
into the workplace with a lot to offer.
But what exactly are they learning? Read on to find out.
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Connections Social media networks are designed for the purpose of communal
connections. Today’s students are accessing Facebook, Twitter and even
Instagram to connect and share with those around them. One of the most interesting
things about social media is that users can interact and engage with each other
solely through a Web presence, perhaps never even meeting in person.
Web engagement
Whether they are sharing personal pictures, links to other sites or even commenting
on someone’s post, students engage, stretching beyond social interaction purposes
alone. Students use social media day in and day out to interact with their peers and
even teachers about class-related subjects. In a world where online engagement is
important for businesses, these students are becoming experts at developing a
sense of Internet presence. Not only do they know how to interact with others on the
internet, they know how to use basic and even complex functions in order to do so.
Knowledge
Social media users share among themselves day in and day out, giving and
receiving information at rapid speeds. This information is more than funny cat videos;
they share views and opinions; tips, tricks, and even DIY projects; and, among
students, helpful information for classes. Their ability to assess, analyze, retain and
share information is skyrocketing and they often don’t even realize they’re
developing these skills. Only people born before the Internet was invented are likely
to understand the magnitude of this new style of communication.
Social Media Marketing
The advent and dominance of social media has created a new breed of marketing,
which has required professionals to build and further the field. As social media users
join the workforce, they bring their skills to their careers. Social media prepares
young workers to become great marketers. It has become essential for major
businesses to include a social media marketing strategy and students today are the
people filling these positions.
While older generations might not completely understand or agree with the amount
of social media activity by today’s student population, they will quickly benefit from it.
As technology advances, so does the way the world works with it. Members of the
young workforce are keeping up to speed with many forms of social media.
Once you get a proper social media marketing strategy locked in, you’ll be grateful
for the recent graduate you’ve hired to carry out the details.
Social networking has lots of good points
You can express yourself, showing off your favourite song lyrics or posting pictures
of your new outfit. It is a lot harder to feel embarrassment over the internet than in
person, so people find it easier to vent their feelings on sites like Facebook.
In fact, it has become so much a part of people's lives that you can learn someone's
life story just by checking their page. Their friends, likes and dislikes, relationship
status, phone number, address…everything.
You can share your feelings and your mental stresses - and it is a great way to
entertain yourself after a busy daily routine.
It also makes it a lot easier to keep in touch with family and friends, especially if they
live far away. But you can also make new friends by connecting with friends of
friends that you might not know.
Friendship
It has never been easier to make friends than it is right now, mainly thanks to social
networking sites. Just a few decades ago it was pretty tough to connect with people,
unless you were the overly outgoing type able to make conversation with anyone at
a party. The rise of mobile phones helped change this, connecting people in a new
way, but then social networks sprang up and the whole idea of friendship changed
once more and for ever.
It’s entirely possible to have hundreds of friends on Facebook. They may not be
friends you know on a personal level and spend time with in the real world on a
weekly basis. But they’re friends nevertheless. There are several people I consider
friends who I have never met – indeed, I may never meet them – but that doesn’t
lessen the connection we have thanks to social networks.
Empathy
Each of us spends a little too long talking about ourselves on social networking sites.
Which is perfectly natural. We’re sharing our lives – the ups and downs, the twists
and turns – with people we think will care. They generally do care, and will tell you
so. They will listen to what you have to say, and help you deal with any problems you
may be facing. If this isn’t the case then you may want to find new friends.
The point is that by all of us sharing our experiences, both good and bad, on social
networking sites, we’re able to empathize with each other. A friend may have gone
through a similar ordeal that you now are, and they will be able to inform you how
they got through it. You’ll also be able to see for yourself that they made it out the
other side, that this issue didn’t derail them, and they’re perhaps better for the
experience.
Speedy Communication
Our time is being stretched thinner and thinner by work and family commitments, but
social networking sites offer a chance to communicate in a speedy and efficient
manner. Writing an update for Twitter takes all of 20 seconds, and with cross-posting
over other social networks switched on, that update reaches everyone you want it to
reach (and probably more besides) in an instant.
One of the reasons I dislike making phone calls is the unnecessary banter they
necessitate. You can’t just say what you want to say and then hang up. Doing so is
seen as downright rude. Instead you have to swap pleasantries before saying what
you want to say, and then make swap more pleasantries before the conversation
comes to a natural conclusion.
Social networking sites allow you to live a life unhindered by small talk.
In Touch With The World
It isn’t just your inner circle of close friends and even closer family members that
social networking sites allow you to communicate with easily and effectively, either.
They open the world up to you, making it a smaller place than it has ever been
before. So much so that I actually haven’t a clue where many of my contacts reside.
When it comes to social networks everyone is equal, regardless of location.
Family living abroad can be kept abreast of the latest happenings in your world as
quickly as those living next door. Friends who you haven’t seen since school, and
who have since moved away, are able to keep in touch. Location-based services
such as Foursquare and Gowalla emphasize your location but social networking as a
whole means it has become a lot less important.
Social networking sites have made the world a smaller place. And then some.
Building Relationships
There is no doubting that social networking sites can lead to the breaking up of
relationships. But there is another side to the tale, which is that people are moving
onto other, perhaps better, relationships at the same time. Social networks can put
you (back) in touch with those you have lots in common with, and that common
ground is often the starting point for long-lasting relationships.
As painful as break-ups can be, they can sometimes be the right thing for all
concerned. What’s to say that the new relationship, founded on the steps of
Facebook, isn’t THE one that will last? Even if it doesn’t turn into a spectacular
coupling, it could be the friendship that is needed at the time. Which has to be a
positive.
Social networking sites can help foster friendships and perhaps more besides.
Finding Common Ground In An Open Society
As previously mentioned, social networking sites can help you find people you share
interests with. Facebook, for example, asks you to list who and what you are into
right from the start, meaning common ground with others is much easier to find. On
Twitter you will follow those who have something to say that you’re interested in,
making connections with like-minded individuals much easier than is possible offline.
This does require sharing information, and giving up a certain amount of privacy in
order to do so. Which is enough for some people to reject social networking outright.
Keeping key personal information private is necessary, but likes and dislikes,
interests and obsessions, thought and views, isn’t. And actually contributes to an
open society.
Social networking sites make fitting in easier, as long as you open up a little.
Conclusions
As social networking continue to grow in popularity, it is our premise that technology
is a vital part in today’s student success. Therefore Social network sites such as
Facebook are often conceived of as purely social spaces; however, as these sites
have evolved, so have the ways in which students are using them for class
organizing behaviors include self-efficacy and perceived motivation to communicate
with others using the site. When placed in the context of social and psychological
factors, its positive impact is of high and esteemed value.
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POSITIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON COLLEGE STUDENTS

exchange ideas, feelings, personal information, pictures and videos at a truly

But what exactly are they learning? Read on to find out.

Social Media Marketing

Social networking has lots of good points

In Touch With The World

Finding Common Ground In An Open Society

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