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 day
o 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 Facebook
o 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
City
Sex
Major
Residence
Contact info
Birthday
Hometown & State
High school
Relationship status
Sexual orientation
Political views
Clubs & Jobs
Classes
Favorite TV shows
Favorite movies
Favorite books
Favorite quotes
Interests
Favorite music
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 messaging
o Uploading and sharing an
unlimited amount of pictures
Facebook Advantages
o Advertising – Inexpensive &
Effective
o Student involvement & inclusion
on campus
o Excellent networking opportunity
(students, professionals, alumni)
o Employer / administrative
access
o 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.
•
•
•
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•
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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 use
o Identify positive ways to harness technology
o 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.