In the article “Do problems associated with social networking outweigh the benefits?”, two authors offer contrasting views on this matter. Norah Tang argues that social networks can be distracting and potentially harmful as well as a means of meeting students’ unrealistic expectations of fulfillment. On the other hand, Elizabeth Wood stresses that social networking sites can be a learning tool for students and a means of exchanging intellectual ideas.
Even with theses opposing views, both authors’ argument includes the impact of social networks on the same group of people: college students. Norah Tang states that when students have access to the internet, they often go on social networks during class or when they should be studying, which creates detrimental time management problems. Likewise, Elizabeth Wood explains that students can discuss and learn from each other throughout social networks. She also states that students have the opportunity to learn more about the fields or topics they are interested in by asking experts who utilize social networks about the experts’ work.
It is very interesting how the two authors can have such opposite takes on the same general concept of college students and social networking. Wei Tang has a negative outlook in saying that students who use the sites have poor time management skills. She also thinks they use the sites at inappropriate times, such as within study sessions or lectures. Wood is much more optimistic by stating that students use networking to engage in their studies and connect with other intellects. I find it hard to believe that all students can be blatantly categorized under one of the two models. Socializing and learning are both important uses of social networking, but the students must learn to balance and prioritize how much time is spent for each purpose.
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