Bibliography

1. Subrahmanyan, K., and Greenfield, P. (Spring, 2008). Online communication and adolescent relationships. The Future of Children, 18, 119-146. Princeton University Publications. JSTOR Online Database. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20053122. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.
2. Krishnan, G. (2007, August 27). Social networking in education. [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://simply-speaking.blogspot.com/2007/08/social-networking in-education.html. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.
3. Thompson, E. (2009, June 03). ‘Dumbest generation’? Professor blames technology. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-06-03dumbest-generation_N.htm. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.

For Parents: Why do Teens Use Social Networking Sites?

Social Networking: Potential Benefits

Research shows that teens use social networking sites as a communication tool to primarily reinforce existing relationships, both friendships and romantic relationships, and to check out the potential of bringing new relationships into their offline world (Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008, p. 120). Incorporating social networking and technology within education can help engage and hold the attention of young people today too. “Almost 60 percent of students who use social networking talk about education topics online and, surprisingly, more than 50 percent talk specifically about schoolwork” (Krishnan, 2007). This talk could be anything from getting help with homework to other troublesome topics students have, but nonetheless, problems are being solved via these sites. Teens can also use these sites to build confidence by modeling real-life interactions through the computer screen. “It’s almost like social networks are training wheels for life in a lot of ways – it teaches you to express empathy and see how people respond. It’s a place where you can grow and develop” (Thompson, 2009). Facebook and Twitter are platforms for concealed confidence, which can also backfire, fatally.