Study: Social networks may subvert 'digital divide'

Social networks like Facebook and MySpace have reputations as time-sucking procrastination tools, but a new study from the University of Minnesota says au contraire.

Social networks build beneficial technological, creative, and communication skills, the study says, leading the researchers to actually describe social networks with the adjective "educational." Who knew?

"What we found was that students using social networking sites are actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to develop to be successful today," Christine Greenhow, a learning technologies researcher from the school's College of Education and Human Development, said in a release Friday.

Data from the study came from teenagers ages 16 to 18 in about a dozen urban high schools in the Midwest.

"Students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout," Greenhow continued. "They're also sharing creative original work like poetry and film and practicing safe and responsible use of information and technology."

As an added bonus, social networks may be part of the reason that low-income students are largely just as technologically proficient as their peers, contradicting parts of a 2005 Pew study that detailed an economic "digital divide." According to the new study, a full 94 percent of students use the Internet, 82 percent use it at home, and 77 percent have social-networking profiles.

The "digital divide," obviously, goes far beyond Facebook profiles, and social networks come with a whole host of new problems like cyberbullying, but at least there are signs that it could be leveling the playing field a bit.

[stepyourgameup]

I'm sorry but social networking sites are stupid. I guess if your younger than 18 it's ok but 30 somethings need to get a life. Just use good old email or pick up the damn phone if you want to socialize. And another thing, why does everyone and their dog have a blog? Unless your famous, NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU THINK! Therefore, you don't need a blog.

[cklogic]

to sMy myspace & facebook address is on my business card, and I'm 33. People laugh when they see it... but a few days later, they click 'invite' to add me to their own online profile page. And those who don't have an account, often create one in the end (mostly Facebook for school reunion/extended family purposes) or they just visit my profile to snoop a little, which is good to know from a PR/promo standpoint. My visitor count increases everyday so I know they're looking. As for the blog thing, it's pretty much a free form of advertising and publishing, like shareware or music downloads by start-up bands; all throwing free 'literary' products to the masses as a cheap way to see if the fish are biting. Business is all about networking, and society is all about business. The benefits of getting a business education or experience is often directed toward social networking, and when you've accumilated literally hundreds of contacts, you really don't want to be getting phone calls and emails everyday. Hence the online thing; on your own time, no extra minutes to pay, no roaming charges, because people online do have lives with no time to yap on the phone, but do have time to drop a quick 'hi there, see you guys 2nite!' on a myspace page. I've studied Integrated Marketing Communications in grad school. You don't need a masters degree to realize online promotion, communication, networking is here to stay; as you can see right here. The social networking trend is so vast now, I met a cute sales/marketing girl in her late 20's at the airport ticketing line who asked for my myspace address so matter-of-factly, without bothering to ask if I even had one. It's great!

[douglaskarr]

Wow - you really missed the boat on this one. We have a social network in Indiana called Smaller Indiana that is driving regional economic growth, finding people jobs and resources, and discussing the hottest political discussions affecting the state. Far cry from your 'get a life'.

As well, I have over 25,000 unique visitors to my blog (I'm obviously not famous). The blog is now a good source of income for me and has also lead to speaking engagements, a new position, and additional contract work. A couple weeks ago, Business Week did an article about me - discovered from a blog post I wrote.

Wow - you are so wrong!

[Digitalelife]

Glad to here this. We may have all realized this already, just did not want to admit. :)

[~Neo~]

Always nice to see that mass media would like to have you believe that it's only the younger generation thats knows how to use technology. I'm a Gen-Xer and I will tell you that social networking sites are good but nothing beats real face time, excellent interpersonal and people management skills. I have seen many changes and fads in the last 25 years and I am very well above average technically. If I thought they were useful I would use them, but I find that they are more of a fad than anything.

[~Neo~]

Oh one more thing being a user does not mean you understand the technology and how it works.

[ghostofitpast]

I am more interested in whether or not the technology is actually improving how people engage with each other. This is post is pretty flimsy on what conclusions were actually reached. If it is possible to be more effective in one's social behavior without fully understanding the support technology, I would still prefer the former to the latter.

[~Neo~]

Social networking sites like Myspace really should be called antisocial networking because teaching children and younger teens that by not confronting people face to face it is hurting them by not teaching them how to interact, and deal with differences in opinion of others.

[BloggerRadio]

stepupyourgame wrote:

"And another thing, why does everyone and their dog have a blog? Unless your famous, NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU THINK! Therefore, you don't need a blog"

First to answer you question: Because we can. Got a problem with that bunky? NOBODY CARES IF YOU DO.

Apparently, you consider yourself 'famous'. Otherwise, you are violating your own theory by expressing your opinion here, on a Blog, at the water cooler, or on a street corner.

Your idea that only the famous should have a forum for expressing their opinions is un-democratic (and stupid). Ever heard of freedom of speech? No? You're a Republipuke, huh?

"Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self." --Cyril Connolly

So, up yours ... and your little dog too.

[BloggerRadio]

Social Networks and Blogs are like Abortions ... if you're opposed to 'em, don't have one.

[phoenixsnow]

wow. you are the best. I am so stealing this quote. :)

[stepyourgameup]

BloggerRadio, posting a comment on a website is far different than posting your daily diary for all, err. none to see. Nobody cares what you had for breakfast or what girl, err. skank your trying to bang or what your stupid kid gave you for fathers day. No, i'm not famous therefore I don't have a blog.

[jamalystic]

There is certainly no doubt that social networking helps to hone tech skills. The only serious downside is when we let them to overwhelm us at times. With so many social networking sites out there and the perceive craziness to be interconnected and be friendly, we get ourselves into alot of social dilemmas like SNAD: Suffering From Social Networking Anxiety Disorder ( http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=466&doc_id=154710&F_src=flftwo)

[Len Bullard]

The problem at present is what to do in meatspace with the anger generated by the social network applications. In a 'resistance is futile' memestate, building frustration with those who decline to go with the network's dominant meme du jour (eg, confront an Obama supporter) results in angry outbursts at social occasions. Unity becomes divisiveness in that persistent and universal turn through the Moebus strip of expectations vs emotional states.

[harloHolmes]

The commentary on this piece is delightfully insipid! Keep up the good work!

All kidding aside, I would love a link to the research cited. Could you post it?