Diversity UniversityDiversity University Office of OrientationOffice of Orientation

Facebook

Getting to Know you:

Brian ClarkeJahquan HawkinsRobin ZazoveVictoria Zeter

What is Facebook ?What is Facebook ?

Facebook is advertised as “an Facebook is advertised as “an online directory that connects online directory that connects people through social networks people through social networks at schools.”at schools.”

Our goal is to help students:Our goal is to help students: Discern when, where, and for what Discern when, where, and for what

purposes is the use of this technology purposes is the use of this technology appropriate. appropriate.

Understand the advantages, disadvantages, Understand the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the technology.and limitations of the technology.

Address safety concerns and issues.Address safety concerns and issues. Become aware of the consequences of Become aware of the consequences of

indiscriminate useindiscriminate use Teach use of built-in features such as Teach use of built-in features such as

security settingsecurity setting

AdvantagesAdvantagesEstablish social connections with Establish social connections with students at your school and at students at your school and at institutions across the countryinstitutions across the countryConnect with like minded Connect with like minded individuals, and individuals with individuals, and individuals with similar interests similar interests Stay in contact with old friendsStay in contact with old friends

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Facebook and similar websites can Facebook and similar websites can become a major distracter from become a major distracter from academics.academics.

There are limited hours in a day. Time There are limited hours in a day. Time spend online is time taken away from spend online is time taken away from study, extracurricular activities, and other study, extracurricular activities, and other social interactionssocial interactions

ConcernsConcerns Students have the opportunity to Students have the opportunity to

isolate themselves from opinions and isolate themselves from opinions and ideas that are challenging or make us ideas that are challenging or make us uncomfortable.uncomfortable.

Students can isolate themselves from Students can isolate themselves from people who they feel they would rather people who they feel they would rather not know.not know.

Students social skills may suffer. Students social skills may suffer. Individuals can avoid the discomfort of Individuals can avoid the discomfort of real-life social interactionsreal-life social interactions

Security RisksSecurity Risks

Use caution when posting personal Use caution when posting personal information. information. Information of a personal nature can Information of a personal nature can make students vulnerable to make students vulnerable to predators.predators.

RisksRisks

Students online disclosure of illegal Students online disclosure of illegal activities, such as substance abuse, activities, such as substance abuse, can be used if students come under can be used if students come under investigation for related offenses.investigation for related offenses.

Potential employers may use Potential employers may use facebook to discover information facebook to discover information about studentsabout students

ConcernsConcerns

Encourages “egocasting”Encourages “egocasting” Student use stereotypes to describe Student use stereotypes to describe

themselvesthemselves The information posted may be false The information posted may be false

and/or misleadingand/or misleading Advertisers and marketers may gain Advertisers and marketers may gain

the ability to tap into more the ability to tap into more information about individuals than information about individuals than they have ever had.they have ever had.

Potential BenefitsPotential Benefits Student government can share Student government can share

information and keep students up to information and keep students up to date on campus issuesdate on campus issues

Student organizations can advertise and Student organizations can advertise and connect with among each other and connect with among each other and with their memberswith their members

Increase faculty/ student interactionIncrease faculty/ student interaction

Facebook: The FactsFacebook: The Facts

Diversity UniversityDiversity UniversityOrientation 2006Orientation 2006

BasicsBasics Facebook is an online social community for Facebook is an online social community for

college students.college students. Started in 2004 by students at Harvard Started in 2004 by students at Harvard

University University Currently used by more than 11.1 million Currently used by more than 11.1 million

students students 99thth most visited site on the internet. 250 most visited site on the internet. 250

million hits every daymillion hits every day Used by 85%of students at more than Used by 85%of students at more than

2,000 colleges 2,000 colleges

BasicsBasics Only those with email address ending Only those with email address ending

with .edu can register, including with .edu can register, including students, staff, faculty, campus policestudents, staff, faculty, campus police

Facebook is NOT affiliated or operated Facebook is NOT affiliated or operated by university officialsby university officials

Users can post photo and personal Users can post photo and personal information like major, classes, information like major, classes, interests, involvements, etc.interests, involvements, etc.

Facebook can be addictive!Facebook can be addictive! Facebook can be as much of a tool as Facebook can be as much of a tool as

a distraction from classes and face to a distraction from classes and face to face interactions.face interactions.

75% of students sign in at least once 75% of students sign in at least once every 24 hours every 24 hours

Average user logs in 6 times per dayAverage user logs in 6 times per day

Protecting Your PrivacyProtecting Your PrivacyRead the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy when Read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy when

creating an account to know your rights and creating an account to know your rights and responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Send email to host instructing them not to share Send email to host instructing them not to share your information with third partiesyour information with third parties

Browse the site to adjust privacy settings (ie who Browse the site to adjust privacy settings (ie who can view your profile, what information is public, can view your profile, what information is public, etc)etc)

Do NOT post information that you do not want Do NOT post information that you do not want anybodyanybody to have access to. to have access to. • Cell phone numbersCell phone numbers• Residence hall rooms/addressResidence hall rooms/address• Class schedulesClass schedules

What you choose to post is public What you choose to post is public information…information…

Your profile is a social resume that can Your profile is a social resume that can have both positive and negative effects.have both positive and negative effects.

On-campus employers and off-campus On-campus employers and off-campus employers can and do look at profiles employers can and do look at profiles when hiring student employees in some when hiring student employees in some cases. cases.

Be cautious when posting pictures or Be cautious when posting pictures or information that involve illegal activities information that involve illegal activities (ie underage drinking, parties, drugs, (ie underage drinking, parties, drugs, etc).etc).

Be selective in your profile.Be selective in your profile. Although the 1Although the 1stst amendment allows you amendment allows you

to post any information you choose, be to post any information you choose, be aware of the consequences of the aware of the consequences of the decisiondecision• Student conduct policies (ex. picture of keg in Student conduct policies (ex. picture of keg in

residence hall)residence hall)• Local lawsLocal laws• Libel (written representation of person that is Libel (written representation of person that is

unfavorable)unfavorable)• Defamation (to harm anothers’ reputation)Defamation (to harm anothers’ reputation)• Illegal activities (drug use, hate speech, etc)Illegal activities (drug use, hate speech, etc)

Facebook Tutorial GoalsFacebook Tutorial Goals Create awareness of what Facebook is.Create awareness of what Facebook is. Identify what constitutes a ‘good’ Facebook Identify what constitutes a ‘good’ Facebook

page.page. Highlight benefits to having a Facebook Highlight benefits to having a Facebook

page.page. Identify behavior which is considered Identify behavior which is considered

detrimental or undesirable while using detrimental or undesirable while using Facebook.Facebook.

Create awareness of consequences for lewd Create awareness of consequences for lewd behavior while using Facebook behavior while using Facebook

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How long has The Facebook been Q: How long has The Facebook been

in existence?in existence?

A: 2 years. Facebook was created in A: 2 years. Facebook was created in February of 2004?February of 2004?

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How many users does The Q: How many users does The

Facebook have worldwide?Facebook have worldwide?

A: The Facebook has roughly 9.4 A: The Facebook has roughly 9.4 Million users worldwideMillion users worldwide

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial T/FT/F

There is a high school version of The There is a high school version of The Facebook?Facebook?

A: True; The high school version was A: True; The high school version was launched in September 2005launched in September 2005

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: Can I sign up for The Facebook Q: Can I sign up for The Facebook

using my personal email account?using my personal email account?

A: Accounts can only be set up using A: Accounts can only be set up using an .edu email addressan .edu email address

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: Is The Facebook all fun and games?Q: Is The Facebook all fun and games?

A: Facebook serves many practical A: Facebook serves many practical purposes. The Facebook can be used purposes. The Facebook can be used as a website, a directory, an online as a website, a directory, an online community, an expression of self, a community, an expression of self, a social calendar and an information social calendar and an information network.network.

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: Can anyone view my profile on Q: Can anyone view my profile on

The Facebook?The Facebook?

A: If you do not designate, while A: If you do not designate, while setting up your privacy restrictions, setting up your privacy restrictions, ‘who can see you in a search’ or ‘who ‘who can see you in a search’ or ‘who can see your profile’, anyone on The can see your profile’, anyone on The Facebook can view your profile.Facebook can view your profile.

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How do old friends find me on The Q: How do old friends find me on The

Facebook?Facebook?

A: A user can search for people they A: A user can search for people they know and request to be their friend. know and request to be their friend. Once the invitation is accepted, the Once the invitation is accepted, the new friend can then view your page.new friend can then view your page.

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How often do college students Q: How often do college students

utilize The Facebook?utilize The Facebook?

A: 65% of users log on daily; 85% log A: 65% of users log on daily; 85% log on at least once a week; 93% log on on at least once a week; 93% log on at least once a month.at least once a month.

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How aware are colleges/universities of Q: How aware are colleges/universities of

The Facebook?The Facebook?

A: Colleges and universities are very aware A: Colleges and universities are very aware of The Facebook. Orientation Leaders and of The Facebook. Orientation Leaders and RAs are now hosting workshops on how to RAs are now hosting workshops on how to protect yourself on facebook. In addition, protect yourself on facebook. In addition, campuses have begun to use The campuses have begun to use The Facebook in the discipline process, holding Facebook in the discipline process, holding students accountable for lewd pictures, students accountable for lewd pictures, quotes and party RSVPs .quotes and party RSVPs .

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: So what’s the big deal with The Q: So what’s the big deal with The

Facebook?Facebook?

A: Although The Facebook has many A: Although The Facebook has many practical purposes, students sometimes practical purposes, students sometimes misuse the network by;misuse the network by;• Stalking/sexual assaultStalking/sexual assault• Glorifying sex, drinking (often underage), and Glorifying sex, drinking (often underage), and

occasionally drugsoccasionally drugs• Creating negative groups-one representing allCreating negative groups-one representing all

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: Why are college administrators Q: Why are college administrators

concerned about The Facebook?concerned about The Facebook?

A: It’s how students communicate, it A: It’s how students communicate, it takes up a lot of their time, facebook takes up a lot of their time, facebook helps perpetuate stereotypes, it can helps perpetuate stereotypes, it can be used as a tool to connect with be used as a tool to connect with studentsstudents

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How are universities handling violations of Q: How are universities handling violations of

the student code of conduct on The Facebook?the student code of conduct on The Facebook?

A: Universities are handling violations in A: Universities are handling violations in different ways:different ways:• Banning access from the campus networkBanning access from the campus network• Officially filing violationsOfficially filing violations• Creating special task forces to monitor facebook Creating special task forces to monitor facebook

usageusage• Random facebook searchesRandom facebook searches

Facebook TutorialFacebook Tutorial Q: How can student organizations Q: How can student organizations

positively use The Facebook?positively use The Facebook?

A: Organizations can use Facebook to:A: Organizations can use Facebook to:• Spread info about recruitment eventsSpread info about recruitment events• Make announcementsMake announcements• Share chapter informationShare chapter information• Raise internet safety awarenessRaise internet safety awareness• Gather information on potential new membersGather information on potential new members• Communicate with members and potential new Communicate with members and potential new

membersmembers• Contact classmates regarding study datesContact classmates regarding study dates

Issues for Faculty and StaffIssues for Faculty and Staff ProfilesProfiles Students who view faculty/Staff profiles will create their Students who view faculty/Staff profiles will create their

perception of them from what they seeperception of them from what they see It is addicting and could take them away your workIt is addicting and could take them away your work Using Facebook in any way may cause risk to you and the Using Facebook in any way may cause risk to you and the

university university It may not be well received by other colleagues It may not be well received by other colleagues Becoming friends with the students may be unprofessional Becoming friends with the students may be unprofessional

and inappropriateand inappropriate Using Facebook may expose you to evidence of students Using Facebook may expose you to evidence of students

doing illegal actsdoing illegal acts Users of Facebook can post pictures up of you without your Users of Facebook can post pictures up of you without your

knowledge or consentknowledge or consent The university does have the power to monitor what is The university does have the power to monitor what is

posted on Facebookposted on Facebook

Academic IssuesAcademic Issues Utilizing a Facebook group as a discussion group for an Utilizing a Facebook group as a discussion group for an

academic class needs to be monitored by the owner of the academic class needs to be monitored by the owner of the group to ensure only comments are specific to the class are group to ensure only comments are specific to the class are postedposted

Postings to the message board can be seen by all Facebook Postings to the message board can be seen by all Facebook users unless it is turned off by the ownerusers unless it is turned off by the owner

Students may use Facebook as the only form of Students may use Facebook as the only form of communicationcommunication

Using Facebook is a choice and is not mandatory to join as Using Facebook is a choice and is not mandatory to join as a member of the universitya member of the university

Requiring all students to join a Facebook group for a class Requiring all students to join a Facebook group for a class may be forcing them they don’t have to or want to domay be forcing them they don’t have to or want to do

Facebook is not university sponsored, so your actions on Facebook is not university sponsored, so your actions on Facebook may not be endorsed or supported by the Facebook may not be endorsed or supported by the University AdministrationUniversity Administration

What We LearnedWhat We Learned Facebook is a communication tool that is used daily by a Facebook is a communication tool that is used daily by a

large number of students and faculty and staff could benefit large number of students and faculty and staff could benefit from the ability to reach students quickly, unfortunately from the ability to reach students quickly, unfortunately there are too many risks involved with using Facebook, and there are too many risks involved with using Facebook, and they outweigh the rewards. they outweigh the rewards.

Facebook can be a useful way to stay in touch with friends Facebook can be a useful way to stay in touch with friends and meet new people in a time when technology is such a and meet new people in a time when technology is such a popular means of communication.popular means of communication.

I did not know much about Facebook until this project. I was I did not know much about Facebook until this project. I was not aware of how students used it and how frequently they not aware of how students used it and how frequently they do so. I now realize how widespread its use is, and do so. I now realize how widespread its use is, and given the shear amount of time and energy that given the shear amount of time and energy that students devote to it, it is bound to affect their lives in students devote to it, it is bound to affect their lives in some way. Whether positively or negatively, this remains to some way. Whether positively or negatively, this remains to be seen. be seen.