Title of Study:  Creating and Connecting: Research and Guidelines on Online Social – and Educational – Networking

Author(s): Grunwald Associates LLC

Summary:
This study compares survey responses of students, parents and school district leaders on the topic of social networking.  The study concludes with recommendations for school boards to utilize the educational potential of social networking while fulfilling their role in protecting students and in ensuring equitable access.

Sponsoring entity(s): National School Boards Association

Date conducted: 2007

Location of the study: This study can be accessed through the National School Boards Association website.

Setting(s) addressed:

• School

Targeted population(s):
* Students age 9 to 17

Primary sources of evidence used in the study or report:

• Student surveys
• Parent surveys
• Telephone interviews of school district leaders

Primary Technology Application(s) Addressed:

• Social networking

Major education topic(s) addressed:

• Technology integration

Major findings/conclusions:

• 96% of students with online access report they have used social networking technologies such as chatting, text messaging, blogging or visiting Facebook, MySpace and other online communities.  71% use social networking tools at least weekly, and 12% update their profile or personal website daily.
  
  
• Teenagers spend about 9 hours a week on social networking activities on average.
  
  
• About 16% of students create content online beyond basic communications.
  
  
• Almost 60% of students talk about educational topics and 50% about specific schoolwork while engaged in social networking.

Practical implications of the findings:

• Most school districts have stringent rules against social networking during school hours, even though most parents believe it could play a positive role in students’ education.
  
  
• School district administrators are much more likely to believe students have negative experiences such as cyberbullying, inappropriate material or releasing person information while social networking than students or their parents.

Reviewer Comments:
Student and parent surveys were conducted online.  It is not known how representative the student and parent populations are of the U.S. population as a whole.