TITLE/TOPIC: Social Networking PROBLEM STATEMENT: The impacts of social networking sites on the social life, of students of St Stephens

College, between the ages of 11- 18yrs? INTRODUCTION:

Only recently in Trinidad and Tobago have social networking become a prominent issue. Great deals of speculation have been made about the impacts of social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter on users lives particularly on youths. Some fear that SNS would diminish proper communication skills, human relationships and contacts, as well as cause social seclusion. However others believe that with the advent of social networking sites especially the modern day marvel Facebook, this facility could be described as a social utility that helps people communicate faster and more efficiently with their friends, family and co-workers all over the world. As could be expected, researchers have begun to put to empirical test these
claims, reaching a more balanced understanding of SNS. The research which this study would pursue investigates both the positive and negative impacts of social networking on youth, with emphasis on security, communication skills, and formal education. The focus of the project is on manifest observable factors or features. Minor or latent effects will not be considered The age group to be studied is between 12 to 18 years, while the physical space of the research focus is St. Stephens College, Craignish Village, Princes Town, Trinidad. The purpose of this study is to discover the extent of the influence of social networking sites on the social lives of youths be it their education, health, communication skills and security. This will serve

to facilitate the evaluation of beliefs made by individuals about the pros and cons of social networking. The value of the research would be to help parents and guardians to be more aware of the impacts of social networking on the lives of their children and as such monitor their childrens use of these sites more stringently. It can also help youths to be more mindful of how these sites should be used to their benefit without placing themselves at risk.

Research questions: 1. What are the positive impacts of social networking on youths lives? 2. What are the negative impacts of social networking on youths lives? 3. What are the visible behavioral changes social networking has on youths? 4. What can be done to create greater awareness among young people and by extension the community of the general use of the SNS?

Definitions: Social network sites: web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semipublic profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. Facebook: A social networking website on which users can connect with friends and develop new ones and can send messages or update their personal profiles to notify others about whats going on in their lives. Twitter: This is a social networking and microblogging site that calls itself a real time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover whats happening now. Messages are called tweets.