Of course Facebook would like to rebut the mounting evidence that links lower student grades to increased use of its social networking site. They pooh-pooh the notion that by virtue of holding a Facebook account, students are taking a hit to their GPAs.

In Facebook’s defense, even the authors of the most recent studies don’t claim a direct correlation between lower GPAs and FB account ownership. They willingly acknowledge that there are just too many variables for an A+B = C sort of outcome.

However, more than one study highlights the connection.

In a study conducted at Ohio State University, evidence supported the premise of Facebook’s interference with academic success. Students with Facebook accounts had consistently lower GPAs than non-users of FB. In addition, FB users put in between one to five hours of outside class work per week, while those without FB accounts claimed study habits of 11 to 15 hours a week.

Although it’s hard to draw definitive conclusions from one small survey, it was interesting to note who the campus Facebook users were. Eighty-five percent of undergrads had accounts, but only 52 percent of grad students did. Facebook and company are quick to point out that it’s hardly the only 21^st century distraction that may be in play here.

Perhaps Facebook merely exacerbates already bad study habits, just as television and radio may have done for a previous generation. Maybe that studious group of students logging 15 hours of study time a week is just more academically minded than their Facebook-using counterparts.

Defending Studies stands on some pretty shaky science

In one study, Facebook only had a meaningful affect on grades when the students spent over 4 hours per day browsing the site. If you spend that much time doing anything, Facebook or otherwise, your grades are going to suffer.

Facebook isn’t so much a cause as it is a social-networking side effect. These college kids are, after all, social beings. The student who has 872 friends on Facebook may also be the one more likely to choose the party over the study group.

Let’s not forget Facebook is a communication site which means those who already communicate well are probably naturally drawn to it. That may also be why women edge men out in their usage of FB. But while young users continue to be among the fastest growing demographic of the more than half-million Facebook users, its oldest users (55+) beat out the kids as new users. The majority (more than 70%) of users remains those between 25 and 54 years old. And they’re not using the site in the classroom, but rather in the workroom.

Via: OnlineEducation.net

 

If it wasn’t for Facebook, would you simply find another way to procrastinate? Or is Facebook to blame for detrimentally affecting your grades? Let us know in the comments below.