Risky Business: Facebook & You

Jaci Czarnecki

Maria Duckett

Sarah Morris

Allie Timberlake

Educating our Students to be Smart Online Community Members

Presentation to Diversity College

During this presentation, the committee will address thefollowing topics: Present a description of and background information on

online social networking Examine the specific online community of Facebook.com Discuss student’s use of Facebook.com at Diversity

College Present an implementation plan for an orientation

program and online tutorial at Diversity College

Online Communities

Background

Permeation of Technology in Students’ Lives

“Information technology in the classroom was supposed to bridge digital divides and enhance student research. Increasingly however, our networks are being used to entertain members of ‘the Facebook Generation’ who text-message during class, talk on their cell phones during labs, and listen to iPods during guest speakers in the wireless lecture hall.” (Bugeja, 2006)

Many of the students in college today have been technology savvy for most of their lives. They grew up with computers, the Internet and email.

Online Social Networking

Online Social Networking can be defined as a forum where individuals interact according to interest and/or affiliation.

There are a number of online communities prevalent on college campuses. They include: Blogger.com, Facebook.com, Friendster.com, LiveJournal.com, MySpace.com, and Xanga.com

In a recent survey at New York University the following was reported*:

– 97.5% of respondents use Facebook.com– 45.7% of respondents use MySpace.com– 25.6% of respondents use LiveJournal.com

“Facebook…is catering to a demographic which is much more used to online interaction.” (Marshall & Tong, 2005)

*199 students responded to this question

Proper Conduct in Online Communities

Taken from Facebook.com- Member Conduct

You understand that the Web site is available for your personal, non-commercial use only. You agree that no materialsof any kind submitted through your account will violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright,trademark, privacy or other personal or proprietary rights; or contain libelous, defamatory or otherwise unlawfulmaterial. You further agree not to harvest or collect email addresses or other contact information of members from theWeb site by electronic or other means for the purposes of sending unsolicited emails or other unsolicitedcommunications. Additionally, you agree not to use automated scripts to collect information from the Web site or forany other purpose. You further agree that you may not use Web site in any unlawful manner or in any other mannerthat could damage, disable, overburden or impair Web site. In addition, you agree not to use the Web site to:   upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any content that we deem to be harmful, threatening,

abusive, harassing, vulgar, obscene, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;   impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent yourself or your affiliation with any person

or entity;   upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional

materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation;   upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any material that contains software viruses or any other

computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;  

intimidate or harass another;     use or attempt to use another's account, service or system without authorization from Web site, or create a false

identity on this website.

Online Communities

Facebook

What is Facebook.com?

Chris Hughes, one of the founders of Facebook.com, states, “we decided to combine social networking capabilities with a site styled to be like a directory, holding extensive information about its users, such as courses, references in campus publications, contact information, and summer plans.” (DeWitt, 2004)

Founded in February 2004

Approximately 11 million users as of January 2006 (Hutton, 2006)

What can you do with Facebook.com?

Be a member of an online university and college community

Join social networks and clubs

Create photo albums and personal profiles

Send personal messages and emails

Post event announcements

How does Facebook.com work?

Users must have a .edu email address Can log on via www.facebook.com “You fill out a profile, listing your favorite music,

books and hobbies, for example. You can form or join groups, which may represent real life clubs or may simply bear cheeky names such as ‘Ridiculously Good Looking People.’ Each persons’ page has a ‘wall’ where friends- and enemies- get to write what they think of you. And Facebook lets students know which of their colleagues is up for ‘dating’, or maybe even, ‘random play.’” (Marshall & Tong, 2005)

Issues to be concerned about

Students think their online communities are safe

Students do not associate risk with their accounts

Judicial concerns (Student Conduct Code violations)

Privacy problems

“Students might think they are merely crafting and surfing a vast network of peers, but because their Facebook profile is, in essence, a public diary, there is nothing to stop anyone else– from marketers, to parents to college officials– from reading it as well.” (Bugeja, 2006)

The HERE and NOW: Facebook and Diversity College

20,000 students enrolled at Diversity College– 85% (17,000) of students have Facebook profiles – 65% (11,050) of students log on to Facebook at least once a day

70% of students sign on at least once per day and 29% spend at least one hour per week on Facebook.com*

Students use Facebook to keep in touch with friends who are not geographically close*

Students also report that using Facebook is relaxing and fun**Statistics and information taken from NYU’s survey

Diversity College and Facebook: A Brief History

Recap of last spring– Student used his roommates’ log in information– Created inappropriate group– Sexually harassed women at Diversity– Pornographic photos online

Judicial Sanctions for Student– Immediate suspension from college– Required to complete several hours of

educational sanctions

Where Do We Go From Here?

In an effort to educate Diversity College’sstudents about the proper use of Facebook, thecommittee has created the following:

– Orientation Program– Online Tutorial

Implementation Plan

Orientation Program

Orientation Program

Learning Outcomes

Teach students how to be responsible citizens in the online community

To reduce risk when participating in online social networks

Discuss how online communities can also enhance community on campus

Orientation Program Outline

Presentations by staff members– Students receive their school email addresses– Demonstrate “What not to do” and have students identify

what is bad about this– Facebook is prevalent on campus- good for building social

communities and advertising events– Always be aware of the risks

Break into peer groups– Orientation leaders discuss how they use Facebook– Analyze and review existing profiles– Share experiences

Benefits of Working in Small Groups

Research shows that working in small groups is a preferred method for students to process information and learn in a collaborative environment.

Anit Somech (2006) found that “participative leadership was positively associated with the process of team reflection” by members of small groups. As the orientation groups reflect on the Facebook profiles presented, they will better understand how to successfully create a profile, minimizing dangerous behaviors.

Participation in small groups allows for the discovery of information relevant to the task and the clarification of ambiguous points. (Latham, Winters and Locke, 1994)

Small Group Discussion/Processing

Discussion questions for Orientation Leaders to consider:– Do you access Facebook?– What do you like/dislike about it?– Have you had any negative interactions with

Facebook?– What would you recommend to new users?

Questions/Experiences from incoming students

Implementation Plan

Online Tutorial

Online Tutorial

The first time the students log on they must take the tutorial.– ITS will arrange that the first time students log into their

email/web portal a link to the Survey Monkey tutorial will be the only option.

Returning students will be required to complete the tutorial in order to be cleared for Fall Registration. (Registration begins on April 18, 2006)

If students do not receive a B or higher on the test, it will revert to the beginning and they must re-take it to gain access to Diversity College resources.

Graduating seniors will not be required to take this tutorial.

Topics to be covered in the tutorial

What is Facebook.com? How is Facebook.com used by students? Who else uses Facebook.com? Diversity College’s Code of Conduct Issues of:

– Safety & Privacy– Discrimination– Personal Responsibility

Scenario about Facebook.com usage and questions

Survey Monkey

Diversity College will administer the online tutorial and test through SurveyMonkey.com.

Since many students actively utilize technology, such as e-mail, an online survey will accomplish the greatest amount of responses by students at Diversity College. It will also be a fun, interactive way for Diversity College students to complete the tutorial and test.

SurveyMonkey.com allows users to:*– Design a survey – Users select types of questions (single choice, multiple

choice, rating scales, drop-down menus, etc.). Users can control the colors and layout of the survey.

– Collect Responses - Users cut and paste a link to the survey that they can post or print anywhere.  A popup invitation generator maximizes response rate and an automated email notification and list management tool tracks respondents. 

– Analyze Results - Users view results as they are collected in real-time.  Users can watch live graphs and charts, as well as get individual responses.  They can securely share survey results with others.  

*Information taken from SurveyMonkey.com

Tutorial Created by Diversity College

Committee

Adapted from the Code of Conduct of Pennsylvania State University

Adapted from the Code of Conduct of Pennsylvania State University

Evaluation of Orientation Program and Online Tutorial

Orientation Program - As part of Diversity College’s Fall and Spring Orientation, students are asked each day to evaluate the sessions they attended. Our committee will gather the evaluations for the Facebook Orientation Program and review them for suggestions on how to better improve the session. Changes will be made for next year’s session if necessary.

Online Tutorial - As technology changes, the information presented in this tutorial will need to change as well. As preparations are made for orientation each year, the committee will reconvene to review the tutorial and make necessary changes to update the tutorial with new information.

Facebook and the Faculty and Staff of Diversity College

It is also necessary for employees at Diversity College to understand the phenomenon of Facebook.

The committee would like to suggest that a presentation be made at the Faculty/Staff Convocation this fall about Facebook. Suggested topics include:

– What is Facebook.com?– How is Facebook.com used by students?– Who else uses Facebook.com?– Examples of “good” and “bad” profiles– Issues of:

Safety & Privacy Discrimination Personal Responsibility

All employees hired after the fall convocation will receive this information during their orientation.

Conclusion

This presentation gives a description of thevarious ways in which Facebook.com can beused by students on our campus.  We hopethat by informing the students of online risksthat they will become responsible citizensin the online community. 

References

Bugeja, Michael. (2006). Facing the facebook. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 52(21), Chronicle Careers, 1. Retrieved February 13, 2006 from LexisNexis Academic database.

DeWitt, K. (2004, July 21). A hot new twist on the old college try. Business Week Online. Retrieved February 14, 2006 at http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2004/sb20040721_8133.htm?campaign_id=search

Facebook, Terms of Use (n.d.). Member Conduct. Retrieved February 14, 2006 from http://nyu.facebook.com/terms.php.

Hutton, P. (2006, January 30). Student site Facebook raises some eyebrows. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Retrieved February 12, 2006, from ProQuest database.

References

Latham, G. P.,Winters, D. C., & Locke, E. A. (1994). Cognitive and motivational effects of participation: A mediator study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 15: 49-63.

Marshall, M. & Tong, A. (2005, August 29). Palo Alto, Calif.-based facebook brings social networking online. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Retrieved February 14, 2006, from ProQuest database.

Schmitt, A. (2006). [Virtual Communities Survey: New York University]. Unpublished raw data.

Somech, A. (2006). The effects of leadership style and team process on performance and innovation in functionally heterogeneous teams. Journal of Management, 32(1): 132-157.

SurveyMonkey (n.d.) Welcome to a revolutionary tool. Retrieved February 17, 2006 from www.surveymonkey.com.