Social Networks

This should be an interesting topic to tackle to say the least. I personally feel schools should make adequate use of social networks for a number of reasons. I think the more important question is the matter of ‘how’ these schools use these social networks. I feel that schools should stay in the loop from a preventative point of view as well as to inform students of upcoming events and announcements. We have all seen the stories on the news of online harassment and nude pictures in relation to teens and social networking. It is believed by many that monitoring these avenues would be a good way to prevent future problems as serious as teen suicide. Not to mention these sites are often free of charge and that is a good price for a school looking to keep in touch with its most precious clientele. Let’s face it; if major news networks utilize these sites; why shouldn’t our schools? The major con I see with this is the possible invasion of privacy; however the pros seem to outnumber the cons. For example, one pro is that students would have an opportunity to voice there opinion on the school blog and perhaps give anonymous feedback relating to a number of school issues from those serious to getting volunteers for the next charity event.
Because of adolescent suicides some institutions are choosing to become more involved in social networks of all types in the interest of prevention and management. I did not conduct much of an official survey on this topic; however I did discuss this topic with a teacher at Northview elementary school. He conceded that he was not very familiar with the term “social networking” but was familiar with MySpace and facebook among others. Mr. Spatafore feels that among the demographic at Northview elementary there is no need to monitor such networks. He went on to say they could be interested in pursuing social networks as a way to inform the public of school events.

Lenhart, Amanda, & Madden, Mary (2007). Social Networking Websites and Teens: An Overview. Pew Internet and American Life Project, Retrieved April 12, 2009, from http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2007/PIP_SNS_Data_Memo_Jan_2007.pdf.pdf.
Vitak, Jessica (2008, May 15). New communication technologies' impact on young adults . Retrieved April 15, 2009, from Pew Internet and American Life project Web site: http://www.pewinternet.org/Commentary/2008/May/New-communication-technologies-impact-on-young-adults.aspx

2007, January 7). 55% of online teens use social networks and 55% have created online profiles;older girls predominate . Retrieved April 15, 2009, from Pew Internet and American Life Project Web site: http://www.pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2007/55-of-online-teens-use-social-networks-and-55-have-created-online-profilesolder-girls-predominate.aspx

Teens & Social Networking in School. YALSA, Retrieved April 12, 2009, from http://www.ila.org/netsafe/SocialNetworkingToolkit.pdf

CREATING & CONNECTING//Research and Guidelines on Online Social — and Educational — Networking. Retrieved April 12, 2009, Web site: http://www.nsba.org/SecondaryMenu/TLN/CreatingandConnecting.aspx