The Influence of Social Networking Participation on Student Academic Performance Across Gender Lines

Abstract

Participation with technology for social purposes has become the mainstream communication method for many people in the past several years. In particular, adolescents in high school have adopted these forms of communication as the paramount way to keep in touch with family and friends. Social Networking websites, such as Facebook and MySpace are the most popular places for these students to spend their time, and are the primary focus of this study. The researcher examined the impact of social networking participation among a sample of high school students to determine how this involvement affects academic performance, future plans, and overall attitude towards school. Differences between male and female students regarding academic achievement, performance, and social networking use will also be identified and discussed. Recommendations for school counselors and further studies will be offered.