Higher Education Students’ Perceptions of Positive and Negative Effects of Social Networking in Portugal

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine students' perceptions of social networking in Portugal. One hundred and thirty (N = 130) students were surveyed online. Factorial analyses have been performed with results showing that social networking were had positive impacts in terms of being a tool for study or work independently and support personal or professional network, a Teamwork building instrument; contributing to being a ``Green{''} user, and gaining updated information and knowledge. On the negative side, social networks impede to traditional information source, are an inhibitor to be more sociable and in-person contact and leads to sedentary lifestyle, trigger anxiety and losing interest, are an inhibitor on developing literacy skills, reducing further thinking capability and unable to focus on one matter for longer time, raise increasing privacy, security and intellectual property concerns, and lastly, are an inhibitor to accomplish higher priority as scheduled.