The Impact Of The Internet On Socialization Of Students (Essay Sample)

THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET ON SOCIALIZATION OF STUDENTS
Student Name
Institution
Date of Submission
THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET ON SOCIALIZATION OF STUDENTS
Since the advent of the internet, there have been massive transformations in the manner in which students relate to each other. The undisputable fact within this discourse is that more interaction among students has been facilitated by the internet (Jurgenson, 2012). Whether this interaction can be characterized as positive socialization is a question subject to discussion. This paper endeavors to establish the impact that the internet has had on socialization among students.
Many learning institutions have adopted internet platforms like the social media and other internet learning forums in the course of educating students. For instance, there are discussion boards and groups on social media for students to exchange information. Aside from the slightly formal internet learning mechanisms sanctioned by respective institutions; students may also make their own interactive forums on the internet where they discuss their own perspectives on various aspects of life and the education system. While examining the manner in which the internet has affected socialization of students it is imperative that we look at it in two dimensions. To start with, forums which are the official initiative of the school or learning institution are less likely to be lively and facilitate higher socialization levels. On the other hand, forums which are created out of the students’ own volition are likely to digress from classwork and extend to other social topics which generally tighten the bond between the youthful students (Jackson, in press). The last model is the one which is most suited to facilitating socialization.
The participation of students on internet forums is a double edged sword. It is prudent to note that when a student dedicates some time to participating in an internet related activity, they are at the same time not participating in any other social activity which could be education related. However, most scholars are inclined towards endorsing internet as a perfect socialization tool for students. The first reason for this is that the internet makes the world to be a global village with one school within that village. Therefore, students across the world find a way interacting with each other and share experiences from the different jurisdictions which they hail from. This generally aids the students to know how other people live and learn; thus making them better social beings (Subrahmanyam, Greenfield, Kraut & Gross, 2001). In addition to this, for informal groups on the internet; students have a chance of talking about non-school related topics which may not only be educative about the general life aspects, but they help enhance the bond between the students if they discuss less formal top...