Discover the real-life impacts of social media use through a collection of fascinating academic perspectives
Successes and Setbacks of Social Media: Impact on Academic Life rigorously explores the positive and negative impacts of social media as a communication tool. The book incorporates a diverse group of opinions and perspectives, all of which reflect on how social media might influence academic success, relationships, self-worth, and engagement with virtual networks.
Accomplished academic and editor Dr. Cheyenne Seymour delivers an insightful examination of the different ways that social media can catapult people into success or failure. Four key areas are explored: academics, authenticity, relationships, and self-worth. Each area contains a synthesis of the latest research, supplemented with contributions that explore the negative and positive aspects of each area. The editor also includes perspectives that discuss emerging technologies, the impact they have on social media, and the impacts they might have in the future.
The book offers readers a wide variety of benefits, including:
- An informative synthesis of peer-reviewed research about the impact of social media on individuals today
- Chapters that investigate both positive and negative aspects of social media across multiple demographics and usage scenarios
- Illuminating reports on experiences with several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat
- An analysis of potential future developments and emerging technologies in social media and the coming social and ethical concerns that might arise
Perfect for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students across a variety of disciplines, but particularly in courses on social media, mass communication, relational communication, and strategic communication, Successes and Setbacks of Social Media also belongs on the bookshelves of anyone with even a passing interest in the real-world impacts of social media usage.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors ix
Biography xiii
Introduction: Pervasiveness of Social Media in Higher Education 1
Part I Academics 9
1 Grades: Smiling Face Emoji 11
Introduction 11
Social Media and Civic Engagement in the College Classroom: Reflections on a Social Media Campaign Promoting Diversity and Inclusion 17
Drew T. Ashby-King
Posting for Progress 22
LaKisha Grant-Washington
#ISucceed: Impact of Social Media on Academic Success in Higher Education Programs 27
Carlton Smith
2 Grades: Worried Face Emoji 32
Introduction 32
You Don’t Belong Here 36
Catherine G. Molleno
Change the Perspective: Online Distraction to Recharging Online 40
Chandra Herring-Morrow
To be Liked: Social Media’s Impact on African Americans in Academia 44
Tyjuana Wilson
Part II Authenticity and Facades 49
3 #NoFilter 51
Introduction 51
Community and Labor: The Affordances and Constraints of Social Media 55
Kathryn S. Jaekel, Luz Rodriguez, and Samantha Lanigan
Authoring Authenticity Through Social Media 59
Tara M. Hart
Hashtags as Identity: Black Male Authenticity Online 64
Michael R. Williams
4 There’s a Filter for That 73
Introduction 73
Rewriting One’s College Experience with Social Media 78
Joi Sampson and Zaiah Sampson
Social Networking: From Invasion of Privacy to True Self 83
Lisa M. Wisniewski
You Are Not Your Brand: Confronting the Spiritual Perils of Social Media 87
Randy Laist
Part III Relationships 93
5 We Are Connected 95
Introduction 95
Social Media: From Deleted to Private, Private to Public Profiles 99
Jennifer van Alstyne
It Takes A Village: Facebook Group Supports #PhDMommy 104
Katherine H. Burr
Social Media Network: Contribution to Success 109
Erik S. Dey
6 It’s Complicated 113
Introduction 113
Fake News and Family: Here’s How to Get Results 117
Phillip J. Fox
Avoiding Social Media in Grad School: Not Here for the Comments 121
Linda Nozart-Frierson
Far Away and Far From: Fickle Relationship with Long-Distance Support Structures 125
Gillian P. Foss
Part IV Self-Esteem 129
7 I Would Follow Me 131
Introduction 131
Facebook Friends and Law School 134
Jacquie B. Smith
The Courage of Vulnerability as a Pedagogical Tool for Emancipatory Education in Feminist Social Work 137
Kharoll-Ann Souffrant
A Novel Perspective on Social Media 141
Kimberly D. Hellerich
8 Unfollowing Myself 148
Introduction 148
The Balancing Act: The Accumulating Pressures of Social Media and Success 152
Thomas Witherspoon
Bodies, Images: The Impact of Social Media on Body Image 156
Alysa Auriemma
Drawing Comparisons: Social Media, Impostor Syndrome, and Socialization 160
Kristina M. Perrelli
Part V Looking Ahead 165
Social Media Influencing Higher Education 167
Index 172
