Social Networking: Making Smart Connections
Enjoy social networking sites without compromising your grades, relationships, and career prospects.
By Hayleigh Colombo, Senior, Butler University
Ever catch yourself scrolling through your entire news feed on Facebook when you should be studying for that biology midterm? Or using social networking chat features to instant message a family member in another room at home? Students say it’s a reality of our generation, but new research links heavy Facebook use with some negative factors.
College students often use social networking sites to connect with friends and classmates in a positive way, but new research shows that spending too much time on Facebook may also be linked to depression among young adults.
In a March 2011 clinical report in Pediatrics (the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), Dr. Gwen O’Keefe says when students “spend a great deal of time on social media sites, they can begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression.”
“Too much time on Facebook can prevent students from real socializing—getting out there and being with their friends,” says Michelle Grace, director of health services at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. “It can isolate them.”
In fact, Facebook announced last month that it was partnering with National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) to enable users to click on a link to enter into a live chat with someone from NSPL. Also, Facebook is encouraging users to report anything they see on someone’s page that indicates that person is in severe distress. Facebook will send an e-mail to that person to encourage them to reach out to NSPL.
As with many things, the key with social networking is moderation. The report stresses that social networks have positives, such as increasing communication, providing social interaction, and offering a platform to hone technical skills. As a college student, you have to learn how to stay connected without compromising grades, relationships, and career prospects.
Homework Helper or Hinderer?
If you’re an avid Facebook fan, you know what a “time suck” it can be. “It’s a distraction that I welcome, but at the end of the day, I’m sure it decreases my focus and attention to class,” says Linda Brozyna, a senior at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A recent Student Health 101 survey found that almost two-thirds of students polled believe they do not devote enough time to homework and studying because of Facebook.
Patricia S., a student at the College of Lake County, says “I know students who seem to Twitter every five minutes. I don’t know how they have the time. They post anything—even if it’s not interesting. Like, ‘I’m eating a sandwich now.’”
“Some find it difficult to resist social media, which can interfere with homework, sleep, and physical activity,” O’Keefe says. To keep up with healthy habits and schoolwork, set up a realistic schedule of how often you allow yourself to log on to social networking sites
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“Allow yourself five minutes every two hours,” says Jenna Hacker, a senior at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
“As long as it’s not interfering with academic requirements or work requirements, and you’re still doing other activities you’ve always enjoyed, it doesn’t have to be a problem,” says Mindy Wallpe, staff psychologist at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Christine Greenhow, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, who has studied social network use in 16- to 24-year-olds, says students may actually benefit from using social networks.
“Students build important bonds when they connect with school friends on social networking sites,” Greenhow says. “When students feel connected and have a strong sense of belonging to the school community, they tend to do better in school.”
Grace says that Facebook can be a useful tool to discuss classwork with friends. “An older student who is busy with family and a job may want to post a question she or he is having trouble with,” says Grace. “They are so busy that this can be an easy way to get help.”
Greenhow, however, warns against overuse: “Too much of any activity, at the expense of proper nutrition, exercise, study breaks, and rest, can detract from achieving desired outcomes.”
Staying in Touch With Friends and Family
More than 95% of students polled by Student Health 101 who use Facebook said they use the site to stay connected to friends and family. Afterall, it is called a social network because it’s so easy to tell people what you’re up to while finding out about the latest news with them.
Hacker says she uses social networking to interact with friends and family she otherwise wouldn’t be able to see or easily keep in touch with.
At the same time that the Internet can help you feel connected to people, it can also cause some to feel more alone. So much time on Facebook can actually mean less real “face time” with people. “The risk in connecting online comes when you’re isolating yourself in your room on the computer instead of interacting face-to-face,” Wallpe says.
Buzzelli says he sometimes gets sucked into Facebook and spends more time on it than he’d like.
“Facebook is distracting,” Buzzelli says. “I always tell myself I’m just going to jump on for a few seconds and then end up realizing that 20 minutes have passed.”
Be Careful What You Post
Thought that photo of you out of control at the party Friday was funny to post online? You may want to think again. Potential employers and universities are using Facebook more and more to check out prospective interns and job candidates, as well as future college students. O’Keefe says it’s never too early (or too late) to start tightening your privacy settings and watching what you post online.
Maggie Perion, a junior at University of Illinois-Champaign, says that she uses the rule of thumb that posting things you’d be uncomfortable with your grandma seeing probably isn’t a good idea.
“You never know who is looking at your pictures and comments,” Perion says. “Be aware of all the options for privacy settings, pay attention to whom you allow to become your friend, and don’t say anything you wouldn’t want your boss or grandma to read.”
Brozyna says she is strategic about how her personality comes across on social networking sites and maintains her level of professionalism depending on the site. “I don’t think it’s important to be as professional on Facebook as long as you maintain privacy settings,” says Brozyna. “I use LinkedIn, however, as a completely professional space. I use this space to interact with current and potential employers.”
HAYLEIGH COLOMBO IS A SENIOR AT BUTLER UNIVERSITY IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, AND THE EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE BUTLER COLLEGIAN.
Find Out More
Click to access (and update) your Privacy Settings on Facebook.
Click for more about ways to use Facebook more safely.
Click for more about staying safe online from ConnectSafely.org.
What Other Students Are Saying
Students who use Facebook give their tips on how to limit spending too much time on Facebook. -From a recent survey of Student Health 101 readers.
• “Get on, check your inbox, and notifications, maybe post something then get off!”
• “Have a friend change the password during homework time.”
• “Make and attend events like study groups with friends.”
• “Only go on Facebook if your homework is done for the day.”
• “Find an active hobby or join a school-sponsored organization.”
• “ Don’t get on Facebook in class.”
