Collegiate Opportunities: Facebook and Face-to-Face Sociability

Twenty years ago college students spent countless hours philosophizing about classic literature and debating political revolutions and coups in coffee shops, library alcoves, and cozy dorm rooms. Although parents might not have approved of the relative cost of these unsanctioned activities—obviously, times spent in these informal social pursuits were hours not engaged in formal, credited aspects of higher education—this was most often where real education occurred. These encounters taught young adults a host of real-life rules: how to engage productively in groups, how to interact individually, how to read body language and facial cues. Although today’s college students have the world literally at their fingertips with the ease and the access that the Internet provides, social sites like Facebook have forever changed the social landscape for our youth, with benefits and some potentially dire consequences.

One is Never Alone

In the past, students would often arrive on a college campus having no previous contact with very few other students. Thanks to Facebook, students now meet incoming or current students based upon similar majors, dorm assignments, or common interests, providing an opportunity to build communities before setting foot on campus. Once on campus, students check in on Facebook regularly to post statuses, to comment on others’, or to send instant messages. These occasions to provide constant synchronous or asynchronous communication and feedback continue to foster a sense of camaraderie.

Unfortunately, relentless messages and updates may rob individuals of solitary, reflective time, as well as becoming a distraction from studying and face-to-face encounters. In spite of this ability to be in constant communication, students also tend to be more isolated, sitting front of a computer screen behind closed doors instead of dropping by dorm rooms or common spaces to chat.

Replacing or Initiating Socialization?

Because of Facebook’s popularity with young adults, many use this electronic social portal as a way of gathering friends and arranging parties. Built-in features, such as the ability to create Events and send out Invites, encourage social face-to-face interactions. The activities begin online, increasing the visibility of the event, but the party still occurs in the real world, still encouraging conventional social skills. For many, social media is simply an extension of the fullness of a college student’s life: a way to stay in touch.

A Key Part of Curriculum

Collegiate Facebook users also approach social media as an extension of the classroom. In addition to the obvious ability to post reminders for tests or paper or project due dates, study groups can hold discussions and professors can share photos, links, and videos as supplemental learning materials. Closed groups allow for private conversations between peers. Again, the popularity of Facebook is advantageous since research and educational materials can be shared between users no matter the geographical distance.

Students can also use this social platform as a way to network with potential employers, although this also has its disadvantages.

Image is Everything

Finally, a Facebook profile is a created image. For many, this is digital self-discovery and definition. During a time of personal transformation and budding independence, Facebook is a powerful tool which can quickly lead to overexposure. Users must be diligent about their online images since mistakes can go viral in an instant. Being aware of what is posted is essential in a world where one night of underage drinking, an off-colored joke, or a bad breakup can end in the loss of a potential job or scholarship.

As with any new technology, we need to embrace the potential while safeguarding our humanity.

Byline
This article was written by Karl Stockton for PT Schools; check out smpnet.org in the future.