Social Media Benefits on Youth Confidence

This Common Sense Media study sheds light on teens' changing social media habits and why some kids are more deeply affected by -- and connected to -- their digital worlds. The survey finds large effects of social media on social-emotional wellbeing in making teens feel less lonely and more confident — and that these effects are greatest in the at-risk youth for whom social media is very important.

Common Sense Media (2018). Social media, social life: Teens reveal their experiences, 2018. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research/2018_cs_socialmediasociallife_fullreport-final-release_2_lowres.pdf

Faculty Confident in Using Technology, Students Lack Confidence

In Campus Technology's second annual Teaching with Technology Survey, faculty were asked how they feel about tech in the classroom, where they go for IT support and more. An overwhelming majority said they are "absolutely confident" or "very confident" in their tech skills, and a smaller fraction consider their skills "adequate." A majority of faculty rated students’ abilities with technology as being “average”, with only a third of respondents rating students’ technological skills as being “excellent” or “above average”. However, the study states that a majority of faculty feel there is plenty of IT support they can come to for education technology assistance on campus, such as a help desk or IT department.

Kelly, R. (2017). 2017 Teaching with technology survey. Chatsworth, CA: Campus Technology. https://digital.1105media.com/CampusTech/2017/CAM_1707/SY_1707Q1_701925010.html#p=29