KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Educational Impact of Social Media

Social networks play a huge part of many teenagers lives.  There is some bad behavior online but there are some good things that can happen as well.  Many teenagers are sharing helpful information about homework and school assignments on their Facebook pages.  An Associated Press-Viacom Poll of high school and college students reports that 7 out of 10 students use social networking sites to get school information and to form study groups.  When it comes to the impact of various media on a student's education, students rank the Internet on top... ahead of printed books, TV, newspaper or radio.  For many teens, they say being online is simply a way of life.  Even younger students can get help with their homework on the computer.  Many schools post their spelling words on websites where students can play games online while practicing their spelling list of the week.  The research options are endless on the Internet for students.  And, experts suggest having kids ask their teachers for other online sources for learning the topics they're currently focusing on in class.  But, as always, parents have to keep a close eye on what their children are doing while they're on the computer... even when they're doing homework.