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The Influence of the Digital Footprint on College Students

Savannah Clare

The University of Mississippi

EDHE 609

Dr. Ty McNamee

March 6th, 2024

Introduction
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Considering the digital society we are in today, it seems everyone is leaving their “digital

footprint” on different platforms online. The topic of the power of influence that social media has

on college students is crucial because of how social media has been integrated into society to

become the new standard. The progression of social media in today’s society has begun to shape

future generations and college students with their interactions with others, personal confidence

and comparison, mental health, academia, and other aspects of one’s lives. Social media is a

wonderful tool that is easily accessible, easy to learn and navigate, and free to all, but it serves

also as a double-edged sword. College is already an incredibly transformative experience in the

life of a student but the external factors of social media can ultimately affect one’s experience in

higher education either positively or negatively.

Individual level

The Overall Culture

The present-day social media culture emphasizes the art of presentation, where

individuals carefully craft their online personas. In the past, the culture of social media was

primarily to share photos, life updates, and keep in touch with friends and family from near and

far but throughout the years it has transitioned into a more curated place. Overall, the culture of

social media among college aged individuals offers numerous opportunities to connect to others

and creativity but can also present individual challenges.

Mental Health

The impact of social media on all individuals, not just college students, is becoming

increasingly evident just how detrimental it can be on one’s mental health. Social media can lead

to anxiety and depression and mental health does not discriminate between gender. Sarah Lipson

at Boston University says “College is a key developmental time; the age of onset for lifetime
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mental health problems also directly coincides with traditional college years—75 percent of

lifetime mental health problems will onset by age 24” (Colarossi, 2022). Social media is

constantly evolving to adapt to new features, trends, and algorithms can easily fall victim into the

hole of comparison. Unfortunately, this digital space often becomes a curated highlight reel for

individuals, contributing to comparisons and lack of confidence to thrive, potentially bringing

out unwanted mental health concerns. “When we consider the number of hours students spent

online, it is easy to imagine how their close examination of their curated digital multiples could

result in a growing dissatisfaction with their offline self” (Taylor, 2021). The online comparison

of followers and like counts, parties and events, physical appearance, outfits, trips, cars, and

lifestyles. As previously mentioned, social media is a “highlight reel”, most individuals will not

be posting while they are depressed, the chaos from their seemingly perfect vacation, when they

are sick, or potentially even hungover in bed. The constant comparison on social media leads to

so many other deeper issues in a students life. There are studies proving in the last eight years

there has been a constant decline in college aged students and mental health issues (Colarossi,

2022). This could be because college often marks the first time some students are having to learn

to manage their own mental wellbeing independently without the immediate support of their

parents. This can present a significant challenge for college aged students as they aim to navigate

big feelings amidst navigating their academic, personal, and social life as well.

Societal levels

Social media in sorority life

Fraternity and sorority organizations can serve as an essential part in some students'

college experience if the student decides to participate in Greek life. Being a member of Greek

organizations can introduce you to various individuals and extend your social circles during and
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beyond college. Greek organizations are notorious for curating a seemingly perfect member

experience through social media posts and by doing other things. These organizations also

leverage social media as a tool to do a pre-evaluation of potential new members, that most

students do not even have knowledge of. This pre-assessment can lead to the preconceived

notions and unconscious biases about individuals before the official recruitment process begins.

This pre-judgment and bias does not only challenge the equality and equity of the recruitment

process but also can lack authenticity. What may appear as spontaneous and genuine

conversations during recruitment may, in reality, may be influenced by pre-existing knowledge

gained through research being conducted throughout the summer by already existing members.

“Sorority women are arguably at a greater disadvantage than fraternity men for how

exposure to stereotypical depictions may affect their sense of self. Although stereotypes

about parting in sexual promiscuity, may positively impact recruitment for college men

interested in joining fraternities, the same stereotypes applied to women's sororities, may

not be quite as positive” (Ortiz, 2020).

The evaluation of incoming students on social media are primarily conducted by sororities rather

than male fraternities prior to the start of recruitment. The recruitment process of sororities

especially is an incredibly challenging and mentally demanding journey considering this is

traditionally one of the first experiences for student’s stepping into university life. The process

can be filled with superficial conversations, comparison, and anxiety which is only heightened

through each round of the recruitment process. The comparison can range from physical looks,

the outfits being worn, the idealized image of a “sorority girl”, and etc. This can lead to thoughts

of low self-esteem as they are looking to gain acceptance from the sororities they are interested

in. “College-aged women and those who are members of sororities, which place a high value on
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appearance, may be especially vulnerable to social comparison and disordered eating” (Skubisz,

2023). While this is not the case for all individuals, it unfortunately has become a more

prominent concern in recent years. Meanwhile, this is not the sole basis and foundation of what

sorority recruitment was founded upon, it is essential for these organizations and organizations

alike to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion rather than encouraging a competitive and

superficial environment.

Opportunities beyond college

The influence of social media on students extends beyond their academic journey and

may significantly impact their transition into the professional realm as they graduate from higher

education institutions. As students embark on their journey of finding internships or their first

post graduation job, their social media presence can play a pivotal role in shaping potential

employers' perceptions. “Behind the scenes, up to 80% of employers and recruitment agencies

use social media content as part of their assessment of candidate suitability” (The Conversation,

2022). There is a reason why the term “clean up your social media'' before job searching is so

prevalently said. The content posted on students' social media during the collegiate years and

before college may have a direct impact on if they are offered the position or not, more so

negatively if the hiring committee finds content that may be questionable or concerning. Hiring

committees are intentional in their hiring process, while many hope to have an equitable process

they are also looking for candidates that would represent the company and brand well. Social

media can help students with broadening their social circles and allow for networking with others

by sharing common interests. Networking serves as a common advantage, by allowing students

to connect with previous employers, classmates, and alumni from their institutions. These

connections not only provide valuable insights but also serve as references for vouching for the
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individual's skills and work capabilities. Higher education can encourage students to establish

active Linkedin profiles during their college years and promote networking while encouraging a

positive professional online presence early on.

Institutional level

Impact on higher education

As we navigate this digital landscape, it becomes crucial to foster a culture that promotes

authenticity, empathy, and a mindful approach to online interactions. Social media is a platform

that higher education can utilize to showcase diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, by doing

this it can foster more inclusive spaces on college campuses. But also educating students of

campus resources that are already available and ready to serve students. “The ubiquity of social

media is no more apparent than at the university where the technology is transforming the ways

students communicate, collaborate, and learn” (Tess, 2013). Beyond one’s personal well-being,

social media's influence extends into the higher education system, where it plays multiple roles

in shaping students' experiences. In the realm of higher education, social media serves as a

virtual stage where students showcase aspects of their lives and the experiences they are having

throughout their collegiate years. In addition, social media is able to play a significant role in

shaping intercultural competence in higher education by facilitating conversations, supporting

continuous learning, and advocating for the needs of marginalized and minoritized voices in

college settings.

Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers role

Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers should prioritize this topic because it aligns

with students’ interests and concerns. By engaging with students on platforms they already use,

creates an opportunity that allows for crucial conversations. While acknowledging the drawbacks
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of social media, it is undeniable that this is the way of the future. Researchers, practitioners, and

policymakers are able to leverage social media to connect with students outside of the confines

of a traditional classroom. By embracing social media in a way that appeals to their interests can

increase communication with their students in a more relaxed setting, it can showcase cool and

exciting things students are doing in class and around campus. Higher education practitioners can

utilize social media to highlight what initiatives are needed and can begin to work to provide it to

students. They can see where the gaps and barriers are when it comes to diversity, equity, and

inclusion among their college campuses. It can be challenging for higher education practitioners

to learn how to best market the university through social media because there is not much

concrete data supporting what all results in success, but it must be authentic to the university.

Practitioners and university marketing departments utilize social media to connect with their

specific population effectively, data proves “ targeted social media marketing strategies can be

influential from a practical and theoretical framework for strategic enrollment management to

consider for recruitment” (de los Reyes, 2023). Social media can also be used to promote campus

life activities and encourage students to share with their peers virtually and increase event

attendance and create inclusive spaces. Students also use social media to post about the fun

things they are doing throughout their collegiate years, which is free publicity and marketing for

the university. By students posting online about their personal college experiences at their

university, their friends and followers can see this and may be influenced to apply to the same

university, solely because it looks visually enticing.

Conclusion

While social media offers numerous benefits to college students and higher education, the

negatives cannot be overlooked. Overall, if you find social media is adversely affecting your
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mental well-being, it's crucial to take a step back and seek support if needed. College campuses

offer excellent resources to students to find support and guidance. There are so many things

going on behind the scenes in a student's life that you never see the full picture of a student’s life.

It is essential to recognize that social media presents a curated version of reality, often

showcasing only the highlights rather than the full spectrum of life and college experiences.

References
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Colarossi, J. (2022, April 21). Mental health of college students is getting worse. Boston

University. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/mental-health-of-college-students-is-

getting-worse/

Conversation, T. (2022). You’re searching for a new job — should you clean up your social

media?. Newstex.

de los Reyes, J. (2023). The Influence of Instagram and Social Media Marketing Engagement on

Prospective College Students' University Selection. Strategic Enrollment Management

Quarterly, 11(2), 3-17.

http://umiss.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/

influence-instagram-social-media-marketing/docview/2845241735/se-2

Ortiz, R. R., & Thompson, B. A. (2020). Sorority see, sorority do: How social identity and media

engagement relate to in-group stereotyping and self-stereotyping.Psychology of Popular

Media, 9(3), 311-317. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000236

Skubisz C, Yates JM, Doyle JL, Pacanowski CR. Making Life Look Perfect and Glorifying the

Sorority Chapter: A Content Analysis of Body Image, Social Media Use, and Disordered

Eating in College Women. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2023;0(0).

doi:10.1177/15598276231222195

Taylor, N., & Nichter, M. (2021). A Filtered Life: Social Media on a College Campus (1st ed.).

Routledge. https://doi-org.umiss.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9781003182047

Tess, Paul A. “The Role of Social Media in Higher Education Classes (Real and Virtual) – A

Literature Review.” Science Direct, 26 Jan. 2013, www-sciencedirect-

com.umiss.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S0747563212003743?via%3Dihub.
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