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Options recently caught up with Trinity Western associate professor and information
technology author Bill Badke, and asked him about Facebook’s effect on social
networking at colleges.
Options: What
trends are you seeing in internet use, in general?
Badke: The
growth of Web 2.0 – that is, interactive use of the web, blogs,
virtual worlds like Second Life, and social networking sites such as
Facebook.
Options: I
understand that Facebook is one of the fastest growing websites with a
projected user base of 50 million by the end of 2007. What is it about
Facebook?
Badke:
Facebook is definitely the preferred networking site for college and
university students. Here at Trinity Western, we have over 2,000 Facebook
users in the network!
Options: For
those who don’t know what exactly Facebook is, can you tell us how it
works?
Badke:
Facebook is a free website. You register and it gives you a page you can
easily upload your own content onto. That can include commentary (much like
a blog or online diary of sequential postings), and overall info about
yourself. Searching for other Facebook users with similar interests or
preferences is as simple as double clicking on words in your own profile
like ‘I love Jesus.’ All
other FB sites that entered the same phrase, geographically local to you,
are returned. You can ask any other FB user to become a
‘friend.’ Once that link is established, then much content is
automatically updated – new pics, birthday dates, and messages can be
sent.
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Options: Why
is it becoming
so popular?
Badke:
Millennials feel so comfortable with technology. It enables constant interaction
with no time or distance limitation. ‘Groups’ can also be
created, of users with a common identity – such as scooter riders in
White Rock – and they can be either an open or closed group.
Options: How
do you see Facebook usage in the future?
Badke: Well,
it’s all about connection, interaction, community and collaboration
– all very consistent with college life. Closed Facebook groups could
be used as a kind of ‘lite courseware’ – a way to help
run courses.
Options:
Parents especially may have concerns about the risk of putting personal
information ‘out there’ on the web.
Badke: As
with MySpace, there is always the risk of abuse. Everything from predators
to bullying, slander and inappropriate advances – although there is
an ability to report concerns and block users. It appears that abuse is
actually quite rare. Most profile information can be restricted to only
certain people; however most Facebook users don’t do that.
Options: But
are kids
vulnerable?
Badke: Well
of course, students need to be careful to share only the things they are
willing for the world to know, but that actually is a lot of stuff! Having
said that, I’m not particularly concerned with higher education aged
users of FB. The risks of interacting on the web in many ways are the same
as interacting with any group of people. Of course, parents of younger
children should absolutely supervise them.
Options Fall 2007
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