Are Montco Students Spending too Much Time on Social Networking/Media?

By: Carli Meehan

BLUE BELL, PA--A study done on “DNews” says that the average time spent on social networks is about 13.5 hours a day. Leaving 10.5 hours for sleep and other activities during the day. So is this going into addictive territory, “Dnews” quoted in their video “people are addictive to the positive social interaction on the internet”. What about students at Montgomery County Community College; what are their personal opinions about Social Networking and Media.  Surveying a group of six Montco students 83% said they spend between 2-3 hours weekly on “SN”.  67% also said 2-3 hours academics outside of school weekly.

When asked if they felt ‘SN” effect their schoolwork Justine Carr responded, “No, because he only uses medias to post a few comments through out the day and it doesn’t interfere with schoolwork”. Another student Byron Drayton who was one of the students who uses social networking 5-10hours throughout the week  said, “it does affect his schoolwork because it takes away the free time he would have to possibly study ”.  When asked if he felt he was addicted he said, “I don’t feel addicted because I can log off whenever I want” but then asked if he could give up all Social Medias for a whole week he said “NO”. In Justin Carr’s’ case whether he could give it up for a week he quoted “Sure, but I would need other social supplements because I would get bored”.   

Recently in the DMS-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder) they have published a section on Internet Addiction, they are still researching the symptoms but the list so far is (1. Excessive use 2. With drawl: anger, tension, depression when away from the computer or social networks, 3. Tolerance and the needing of more, 4. Negative repercussion: including arguments, lying and social isolation). Researchers found it have the same effect on your brain as gambling.

A one on one interview with a Montco student Melissa Perozze and being asked if she felt students are addicted to social media at Montco? She quoted “Yes, you can’t go anywhere without seeing phones glued to their faces even when having a conversation with someone right in front of you. In class rooms it’s also a problem because you see students checking their phone every five minutes for Facebook or Twitter updates while a lecture is going on.” Then asked if she felt Social Medias affect her schoolwork? “Of course, especially at home because you need your computer to do homework and its so easy to check Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook and then you end up staying on those sites for hours instead of actually doing your work.