Social

networking
The importance
of being connected

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 Why are As a class, brainstorm
friends so ways that friendships
important? positively influence the
lives of adolescents.

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 a sense of belonging
Friendships a feeling of being valued by others
a space to share and discuss common
offer changes that are occurring
adolescents: a space to experiment with new
values, roles and identities.

Teens who have strong friendships are usually

more confident, more actively involved in school
and more sensitive to others’ thoughts and feelings.

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 • intense, supportive and very close
Characteristics • often based on similar behaviours or
of teenage beliefs
friendships: • close groups are usually of the same
sex
• need for frequent communication or
contact.

Girls often develop closeness through conversation.

Boys often develop closeness through activities.

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 Frenemies:
‘Frenemies’ • may be rivals who pretend to be your
or friends
• boost their own ego at your expense
toxic friends • are unsupportive of your happiness
• gossip about and judge you.

These friendships have a negative effect

on adolescents’ health and wellbeing.
Adolescents’ fear of social rejection often makes
these friendships difficult to end.

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 Mobile phones are the most common
Social-media tool for access.
trends The most frequent activities performed
include:
• updating profiles
• posting messages/photos/videos
• commenting on other people’s posts
• instant messaging
• blogging and microblogging.

‘90% of 12-17 years olds use social networks daily.’

ACMA (2009) Click and connect: Young Australians’ use of online social media

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 Does belonging to social networks have
Class a positive or negative effect on
discussion adolescents’ mental health?

Brainstorm and list all of the:

• positive effects of social networks
• negative effects of social networks.

What conclusions can you draw

from this discussion?

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 • Positives: increases social
Socialising connectedness, promotes more
through regular contact with others,
convenience, helps to overcome
social shyness, helps to build social skills,
promotes interactions with different
networks age groups.

• Negatives: anonymity, bullying,

access to personal details,
harassment, abusive messages,
inappropriate or upsetting
information, 24/7 connectivity.

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 Do you agree or disagree with
the following quote? Why?
‘ 49% of all teens surveyed say their favourite way to communicate with
their friends is in person ’.
Common Sense Media (2012)

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 • Electronic communication
‘Friends’ has expanded adolescents’
social networks significantly.
• It is common for adolescents
to have 300+ ‘friends’ listed in their
online profiles.
• Friend lists are used as a measure of
social status.
• However, not all online ‘friends’ are
part of adolescents’ offline lives.

Note: Complete the sheet Friendship

circles.

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 Social-networking sites allow
‘Likes’ adolescents to construct and build

their own ‘brand’ image.

Discussion question:
Does the approval-seeking and judgmental nature
of some social-networking sites encourage
individualism or conformity in adolescents?

PPS_Y08_U3_SS_SocialNetworking
 References
ACMA , Click and connect: Young Australians’ use of online social media 02: Quantitative research report July 2009
http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/aba/about/recruitment/click_and_connect-02_quantitative_report.pdf
Colin et al (2011). The benefits of social networking services. Literature Review.
http://www.uws.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/476337/The-Benefits-of-Social-Networking-Services.pdf
Common Sense Media (2012). Social media, social life: How teens view their digital lives. A common sense media research study. Summer
2012. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/social-media-social-life-how-teens-view-their-digital-lives
Grose, M (2014). The importance of teen friendships. Body+Soul Mums. News Life Media.
http://mums.bodyandsoul.com.au/pregnancy+parenting/parenting+tips/the+importance+of+teen+friendships,7797
Hudson, C (2014). Teenagers and peers. UT Understanding Teenagers. The blog.
http://understandingteenagers.com.au/blog/2010/06/teenagers-peers/
Mathews, R and Cameron, F (2010). The social and psychological impact of online social networking. 2010 National Psychology Week
research project. Australian Psychological Society. http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/2010/december/social/
Raising Children Network (2012). Teenage friendships. Australian Government. Department of Social Services.
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/friendships_teenagers.html
Subrahmanyam, K and Greenfield, P (2008). Online communication and adolescent realationships. Vol 18/119. No 1 Spring 2008.
http://www.futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/docs/18_01_06.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Weir, K (2011). Fickle friends: How to deal with frenemies. Mind and Brain. Scientific American. May/June, 2011. Division of Nature America
Inc. http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic le/fickle-friends/

Image attributions:
Slide 2: http://www.clker.com/clipart-125126.html
Slide 5: http://www.clker.com/clipart-211801.html
Slide 7: http://www.clker.com/clipart-usb-heart.html
Slide 8: http://www.clker.com/clipart-smartphone-excitement.html
Slide 9: http://www.clker.com/clipart-2312.html
Slide 10: http://www.clker.com/clipart-social-network-in-colours.html
Slide 11: http://www.clker.com/clipart-375239.html

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