Social Networking in Schools – The Debate Continues
Ivan A. Shibley, D.Ed.
Director of Clinical Practices at The University of Scranton
School administrators all over the United States have to come face-to-face with various social networking sites such as Facebook or Myspace. Being a relatively new technological addition developed within the past 10 years, administrators continuously debate the pros and cons of incorporating social networking into the already demanding curriculum.
Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg and others started Facebook in 2004 so that the university students had a better means of communicating with each other. From the initial start, the social networking site expanded to other colleges and universities. As originally designed, Facebook was for college students to communicate. Today, anyone 13 years or older is allowed to register on Facebook. There is no doubt that Facebook is having an impact on all schools.
The University of Scranton professors have visited over 450 graduate students in nearly 800 schools throughout the United States and several foreign countries.
The single constant during the visits is that Facebook is presenting both challenges and opportunities for student learning.
Here are the some pros of using social networking in the schools from practicing administrators:
- Instant communications – almost every student today is on some social network.
- Stimulation – the tools are familiar to and used by the students everyday.
- Learning – students search out information from others all over the United States.
- Freedom of expression – students have the opportunity to freely express their feelings without interference from any adult.
Here are the some cons of using social networking in the schools from practicing administrators:
- Cyberbullying and harassment – there has been an increase in bullying and harassment because students can write anything without ever facing the person directly. This cyberbullying often takes place over the weekend but spills into the schools on Monday morning.
- Friending – not all students are able to handle the rejection when they are not accepted as a friend.
- First Amendment Rights – parents support students who say anything they want without restrictions and in many cases, facts. If an administrator challenges the student, the parent responds that the school is violating the student’s right of free speech.
- Sexual Predators – young folks are opening up their life to strangers.
- Future – information on a social network site resides there forever. Potential employers have looked at the postings and decide not to hire the person.
There is no doubt that the debate on incorporating social networking into the schools will continue. For now, all school administrators should be putting into place policies that can be enforced without taking liberties away from students. It is really a fine balancing act, but must be done to protect the school, the staff, and the students.
