Pros and Cons of SNS

I thought I would try and divide my thoughts on SNS into pros and cons of using this Web 2.0 tool in schools. I found a lot of opinions and ideas about SNS, so it seemed to be a logical way to conquer and divide the information.

PROs:

One of the first sites that I came across was a pdf document called “Teen & Social Networking in School & Public Libraries: A Toolkit for Librarians and Library Workers” written by Young Adult Library Services Association. It is a 10 page document that explains exactly what a Social Networking Site is: “software that enables people to connect, collaborate and form virtual communities via the computer and/or Internet. Social networking web sites are those that provide this opportunity to interact. Sites that allow visitors to send emails, post comments, build web content and/or take part in live chats are all considered to be social networking sites.”

The YALSA suggests that SNS can be used as an area for teens to be able to reflect on their own learning, communicate with teachers (and librarians), to get feedback from educators, parents and peers and also to create a sense of community outside of the physical environment of the school. I do agree that teenagers may feel that this is something they know and feel comfortable with, so it may appeal to them in ways that traditional interaction cannot accomplish.

The YALSA also lists the following benefits for SNS:

Developmental Assets & Social Networking
When schools and libraries help teens use
social networking tools safely and smartly, they
also help teens meet their developmental assets
as defined by the Search Institute. (www.searchinstitute.
org) For example when teens:


Learn how to use blogs, wikis, and My
Space sites within an educational context
they learn about boundaries and
expectations.

Are able to use social networking tools in
learning they have a commitment to
learning.

Have the opportunity to communicate with
peers, experts, authors, etc. via online social
networking they develop social & cultural
competence.

Work with adults and peers on developing
social network sites and teaching how to use
these sites they are empowered.

Have a voice in the future of the school or
the library they gain a sense of personal
identity and value.

See how librarians and teachers use social
networks they are presented with role models.

A study done by Ellison, Steinfeld & Lamp for The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication concentrated on looking at “the relationship between the use of Facebook… and the formation and maintenance of social capital.” The authors found there was a positive outcome for college students who use Facebook in terms of their self-image and esteem. “Facebook usage was found to interact with measures of psychological well-being, suggesting that it might provide greater benefits for users experiencing low self-esteem and low life satisfaction.” And that use of the internet alone did not necessarily help the esteem issues, but the use of Facebook did. The authors also suggest that the use of Facebook may also help other people with their social capital; “In addition to helping student populations, this use of technology could support a variety of populations, including professional researchers, neighborhood and community members, employees of companies, or others who benefit from maintained ties.”