(Dis)connected: The Role of Social Networking Sites in the High School Setting

This study examines the role of six popular social networking sites (SNSs)—Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest—in a high school setting. Students, teachers, and administrators were interviewed to learn how they use these SNSs to support a variety of functions in the school setting, including professional development, classroom learning, self-directed learning, and socializing. Participants also were asked about how they use SNSs more generally and points of overlap between personal and school-related uses. Findings show that although instructional use is low, SNSs nonetheless have a pervasive presence in the school. Being highly connected has both advantages and disadvantages for students and teachers alike. For individuals with poor social connections, the heavy use of SNSs can result in greater disconnection from school-related information and social circles. Implications show opportunities for selecting classroom learning tools, developing digital literacy and citizenship curricula, and supporting all members of the school community.