Facing the Facebook

Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at colleges and universities nationwide.

Facebook Facts

o Facebook launched in 2004 by Harvard students

o 85% of college students have a facebook profile, average 15-20 minutes per day

o 70% of users log in daily o Between 10,000-20,000 new members

sign up each dayo Facebook logs over 250 million page

views in any given 24-hour period

More Facebook Facts

• 2006 study conducted by Student Monitor found Facebook tied with beer for 2nd most "in" thing among undergrads (winner was iPod)

• In September 2005 Facebook opened the door to high schools and high school students.

• As of November 2005 worldwide user accounts passed 11 million worldwid

• Facebook is now open to anyone with a valid email address!

Access to Facebooko Anyone with a valid

e-mail address

o This site is free to users

Facebook Profile

o Users create their own profile and update it anytime. The user can display the following information:

Name Hometown & State Favorite TV showsCity High school Favorite moviesSex Relationship status Favorite booksMajor Sexual orientation Favorite quotesResidence Political views InterestsContact info Clubs & Jobs Favorite musicBirthday Classes Self description

Facebook’s Main Features

o Making “Friends” & Keeping in Touch, “Pokes”

o Personal Whiteboards or “Walls”o Joining “Groups”o Advertising Parties / “Events”o Private messagingo Uploading and sharing an

unlimited amount of pictures

Facebook Advantageso Advertising – Inexpensive &

Effectiveo Student involvement & inclusion

on campuso Excellent networking opportunity

(students, professionals, alumni)o Employer / administrative

accesso Identification of student interests

Facebook Disadvantages

o Privacy and safety

o Employer / administration access

o Naivete of students

o Misuse

o Distraction

Facebook’s Pitfalls

• A. Personal Safety – students often list physical address, cell #, class schedule, birthday, social activities, relationships. (Stalking, Identity theft), current location “STATUS”

• B. Privacy invasion “Data mining”

• C. Personal Representation – provides covert way to express racial and sexually insensitive feelings or sediments, legitimizes aberrant behavior, glorifies alcohol/drug abuse

• D. Promoting fraud (scams, predators)

Policing Facebook

E. University police, parents, administrators using FACEBOOK to identify problem students & illegal behaviors.

• 1. University of Georgia scooter incident • 2. Fisher College expels student government president• 3. US Secret Service meets with Oklahoma University freshman • 4. Penn State University police catch swarming students• 5. North Kentucky University punishes students for drinking• 6. SUNY College at Cobleskill administrators suspend student for

threatening message• 7. University of Oxford staff searched through student photos in

an effort to root out poor conduct from students celebrating their exam results and graduation.

More Facebook Issues

Social Development

o Connects students before ever meeting

o Potential to isolate / embarrass students

o Reduces interpersonal interaction

o Legitimizes aberrant behavior

o Glorifies alcohol / drug abuse

o Can trivialize sexual encounters & identity

Personal Safety

o Students often list personal residence, cell numbers, classes on site

o Excessive information (hometown, birthday) makes student more likely to be victim of identity theft

o Provides covert way to express racial & sexually insensitive feelings or sentiments

o Fake profiles

Four Arrested in Facebook Copy Cat Stunt

• 4 Arrested In 'Fire In The Hole' Hot Sauce Prank At Drive-Through

• NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- YouTube has the latest must-watch videos, but police in North Huntingdon said one prank inspired by the popular Web site is no laughing matter.

• On Thursday morning, police said four teenagers have been arrested after somebody yelled "Fire in the hole" and threw a liquid mixture with hot sauce at a restaurant employee earlier this month.

On a positive note

• Creating a Memorial is one example where facebook manifested the positive potential

• UCA Student drowning

• Facebook updates, testimonials

Parent, Staff Responses to Facebook

o Become familiar with technology students useo Identify positive ways to harness technologyo Educate the students that the web is not a private

playground. Facebook is a “public” diary, a “widely viewed” cyber bulletin board.

o Limit use of facebook, restrict facebook from campus/office

o Reinforce prosocial values and challenge inappropriate behavior.