The social network gives new students support – but there’s a downside, too.
Social networking can help new students feel supported in their first few weeks of school, according to recent research from Keele University in the United Kingdom. A survey of 141 students showed students who interacted more on Facebook in their first semester reported being happier, less stressed and having higher self-esteem.
Students with a tight support network surrounding them are likely to feel more confident and appreciated, say the researchers. And by the midway point of the year, those with more friends on Facebook were likely to be happier and interact more with new people.
The researchers’ conclusion: Facebook can help students successfully manage the stressful transition to college life.
But there’s other research that suggests overuse of Facebook can negatively affect a student’s self-image.
A Cyberpsechology, Behavior and Social Networking study of 425 students found that those who had used Facebook longer and spent more time on the site believed that others were happier than they were, based on the positive way people tend present themselves on their profiles.
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