Social Networking Sites and Family Impact
Heather Copeland Albertus Magnus College Business Case Project – BE396 Professor Paul Hartman August 25, 2009
AGENDA • • • • • • • •
Introduction Thesis Statement Definitions Methodology Literature Review Data Analysis Conclusion References
INTRODUCTION Evolution of Communication
Speaking Drums
Ancient Tablets
Letters
Telephones
Smoke Signals
Social Networking
THESISÂ STATEMENT Excessive use of Social Networking Sites by family members promote arguments, isolation, separation and divorce (e.g. dysfunction) within the family household.
DEFINITIONS Social Networking Site
Family Unit
A website where one connects with those sharing personal or professional interests, place of origin, education at a particular school, etc. (http://dictionary.reference.com/bro wse/social%20network)
A primary social group; parents and children (http://dictionary.reference.com/bro wse/family%20unit)
METHODOLOGY Facebook
•Various Genders •Various Ages •Various Family Statuses
MySpace
Surveybob.com
No Social Network Users
•Various Genders •Various Ages •Various Family Statuses •Various Genders •Various Ages •Various Family Statuses •Various Genders •Various Ages •Various Family Statuses
•Various Genders •Various Ages •Various Family Statuses
LITERATURE REVIEW • People are using the Internet so obsessively that they are ruining their marriages and careers (Jamison, 2000) • Internet use carries same risks as gambling: can lead to social isolation, depression & failure at work or school (Jamison, 2000) • Young adults use technology to obtain social support…email, chat room and instant messaging (Subrhmanyam, 2008). But,what happens when their situation changes?
LITERATURE REVIEW • “Problematic Internet Use” (PIU) can result in behavioral symptoms: negative social, academic and professional consequences (Caplan 2007) • Preference for Online Social Interaction (POSI) correlate to loneliness and negative outcomes due to internet use (Caplan) • Facebook promotes narcissistic behavior. Narcissism hampers the ability to form healthy, long-term relationships (Buffardi, Campbell, 2008)
DATA ANALYSIS Devices In Home With Internet Access
Social Networking Sites Used
51 35
MySpace
None
Other
64
18 1
13 0
1‐2
3‐4
> 4
Hours/Week Spent on Social Networking Sites 68 21 0 * 106 Respondents
17
5
2
Internet Activities Social Networking Site Doing Homework Other Shopping
Conducting Business Downloading Music/Videos Playing Video Games Using a Search Engine
21 23 7
1‐8
5
9‐16
7 17‐24
23 13
3 25 <
12 2
5
7
DATA ANALYSIS How Many Disputes in Last 3 Months?
Family Disputes
50
86
17 20 No
3 0
Yes
How Often Does Your Family Have Meals Together? 35 32 30
8 All the Time
* 106 Respondents
Frequently
Never
4‐6
Which Meal Does Your Family Have Together Most Often?
86
12 Occassionally
1‐3
Breakfast
7
0 Lunch
Dinner
None
DATA ANALYSIS Lack of Attention to a Family Member Caused by a Social Networking Site?
Reunited w/ a Significant Other Using a Social Networking Site?
72
62 44 24
9 Yes
No
Yes
NA
Have you communicated w/ a former significant other outside of a Social Networking Site?
No
How Many Children Are in Your Household under the age of 18?
50
48 33
Yes * 106 Respondents
18
23
75% of previous question
25 10 1
No
NA
0
1
2
3
4
DATA ANALYSIS
Age Group
Relationship Status 56
Married Divorced Single Separated Itʹs Complicated
29 6
* 106 Respondents
15 > 21‐25 31‐35 41‐45 50 <
16‐20 26‐30 36‐40 46‐50
25 24 15 11
5
9
2
1
4
10
13
DATA CORRELATIONS Hours/Week Spent on Social Networking Sites 68 21 0
7 1‐8
7
9‐16
How Often Does Your Family Have Meals Together? 35 32 30
8
3
17‐24
25 <
Which Meal Does Your Family Have Together Most Often?
86
All the Time
Frequently
Never
Occassionally
Lack of Attention to a Family Member Caused by a Social Networking Site?
72
12 Breakfast * 106 Respondents
24 7
0 Lunch
Dinner
None
9 Yes
No
NA
CONCLUSION • Facebook promotes narcissistic behavior & isolation • Families spend important quality time together; more time spent together, the less chance for rejection, isolation, and social dysfunction. • Social Networking Sites are a factor in 20% of family disputes. • 75% of people that are reunited with ex’s, have contact with that person outside of a Social Networking Site • Americans spend more time watching T.V. than on Social Networking Sites. • Survey & literature data does not fully support the thesis. • More studies and data are required on this subject.
REFERENCES • • •
• • • • • • • • •
Buffardi, Laura; Campbell, W. Keith, University of Georgia, (September 22, 2008). Study: Facebook profiles can be used to detect narcissism. Retrieved August 5, 2009, from Physorg.com Web site: http://www.physorg.com/news141308850.html Caplan, Ph.D., Scott (November 2, 2007). Relations Among Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Problematic Internet Use. CyberPhsychology & Behavior, 10, Retrieved August 5, 2009, from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.albertus.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2007-07290-011&site=ehost-live Jamison, Barbara (2000, June, 13). Obsessive Internet use poses risk of isolation, depression, researchers say. CNN.com health, Retrieved July 23, 2009, from http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/06/13/internet.addiction.wmd/ Semuels, Alana (February 24, 2009). Television Viewing at All Time High. Retrieved August 7, 2009, from Los Angeles Times Web site: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/24/business/fi-tvwatching24 Stevens, Shea (June 15, 2009). Kansas Divorce Source. Retrieved August 5, 2009, from Facebook and Kansas Divorce Web site: http://www.kansasdivorcesource.com/uncategorized/facebook-and-kansas-divorce Subrahmanyam, K, Reich, S, Waechter, N, & Espinoza, G (August 15, 2008). Online and offline social networks: Use of Social Networking Sites by emerging adults. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29, RetrievedAugust 5, 2009, from http://www.cdmc.ucla.edu/Welcome_files/onlineoffline.pdf.