Successes and Setbacks of Social Media

Discover the real-life impacts of social media use through a collection of fascinating academic perspectives

Successes and Setbacks of Social Media: Impact on Academic Life rigorously explores the positive and negative impacts of social media as a communication tool. The book incorporates a diverse group of opinions and perspectives, all of which reflect on how social media might influence academic success, relationships, self-worth, and engagement with virtual networks.

Accomplished academic and editor Dr. Cheyenne Seymour delivers an insightful examination of the different ways that social media can catapult people into success or failure. Four key areas are explored: academics, authenticity, relationships, and self-worth. Each area contains a synthesis of the latest research, supplemented with contributions that explore the negative and positive aspects of each area. The editor also includes perspectives that discuss emerging technologies, the impact they have on social media, and the impacts they might have in the future.

The book offers readers a wide variety of benefits, including:

• An informative synthesis of peer-reviewed research about the impact of social media on individuals today
• Chapters that investigate both positive and negative aspects of social media across multiple demographics and usage scenarios
• Illuminating reports on experiences with several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat
• An analysis of potential future developments and emerging technologies in social media and the coming social and ethical concerns that might arise

Perfect for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students across a variety of disciplines, but particularly in courses on social media, mass communication, relational communication, and strategic communication, Successes and Setbacks of Social Media also belongs on the bookshelves of anyone with even a passing interest in the real-world impacts of social media usage.

List of Contributors ix

Biography xiii

Introduction: Pervasiveness of Social Media in Higher Education 1

Part I Academics 9

1 Grades: Smiling Face Emoji 11

Introduction 11

Social Media and Civic Engagement in the College Classroom: Reflections on a Social Media Campaign Promoting Diversity and Inclusion 17
Drew T. Ashby-King

Posting for Progress 22
LaKisha Grant-Washington

#ISucceed: Impact of Social Media on Academic Success in Higher Education Programs 27
Carlton Smith

2 Grades: Worried Face Emoji 32

Introduction 32

You Don’t Belong Here 36
Catherine G. Molleno

Change the Perspective: Online Distraction to Recharging Online 40
Chandra Herring-Morrow

To be Liked: Social Media’s Impact on African Americans in Academia 44
Tyjuana Wilson

Part II Authenticity and Facades 49

3 #NoFilter 51

Introduction 51

Community and Labor: The Affordances and Constraints of Social Media 55
Kathryn S. Jaekel, Luz Rodriguez, and Samantha Lanigan

Authoring Authenticity Through Social Media 59
Tara M. Hart

Hashtags as Identity: Black Male Authenticity Online 64
Michael R. Williams

4 There’s a Filter for That 73

Introduction 73

Rewriting One’s College Experience with Social Media 78
Joi Sampson and Zaiah Sampson

Social Networking: From Invasion of Privacy to True Self 83
Lisa M. Wisniewski

You Are Not Your Brand: Confronting the Spiritual Perils of Social Media 87
Randy Laist

Part III Relationships 93

5 We Are Connected 95

Introduction 95

Social Media: From Deleted to Private, Private to Public Profiles 99
Jennifer van Alstyne

It Takes A Village: Facebook Group Supports #PhDMommy 104
Katherine H. Burr

Social Media Network: Contribution to Success 109
Erik S. Dey

6 It’s Complicated 113

Introduction 113

Fake News and Family: Here’s How to Get Results 117
Phillip J. Fox

Avoiding Social Media in Grad School: Not Here for the Comments 121
Linda Nozart-Frierson

Far Away and Far From: Fickle Relationship with Long-Distance Support Structures 125
Gillian P. Foss

Part IV Self-Esteem 129

7 I Would Follow Me 131

Introduction 131

Facebook Friends and Law School 134
Jacquie B. Smith

The Courage of Vulnerability as a Pedagogical Tool for Emancipatory Education in Feminist Social Work 137
Kharoll-Ann Souffrant

A Novel Perspective on Social Media 141
Kimberly D. Hellerich

8 Unfollowing Myself 148

Introduction 148

The Balancing Act: The Accumulating Pressures of Social Media and Success 152
Thomas Witherspoon

Bodies, Images: The Impact of Social Media on Body Image 156
Alysa Auriemma

Drawing Comparisons: Social Media, Impostor Syndrome, and Socialization 160
Kristina M. Perrelli

Part V Looking Ahead 165

Social Media Influencing Higher Education 167

Index 172

CHEYENNE SEYMOUR, EdD is Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences at Bronx Community College. Her research areas include social media, public speaking, and rhetoric. She earned her Doctorate of Education from New England College.

DISCOVER THE REAL-LIFE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE THROUGH A COLLECTION OF FASCINATING ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVES

Successes and Setbacks of Social Media: Impact on Academic Life presents a diverse group of experiences to reveal how social media can influence the pursuit of higher education and engagement with virtual networks.

Accomplished academic and editor Dr. Cheyenne Seymour delivers an insightful examination of the various ways social media usage can lead to problems or progress for students. Four key areas are explored in this book: academics, authenticity, relationships, and self-worth. Each content area features a synthesis of the latest research and essays reflecting the perspectives of students, professionals, faculty, and administrators on the ways that social media creates benefits and challenges for individuals pursuing degrees. The editor also explores emerging social media trends and technology, along with their potential for subsequent significance in higher education.

This book offers readers a range of information on social media, including:

• Compelling research highlighting social media's influence on undergraduate and graduate students
• Illuminating chapters on the positive and negative aspects of social media across multiple demographics and usage scenarios
• Forthcoming essays reflecting experiences with several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Emerging social media practices in higher education and their potential for future impact

Perfect for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students across a variety of disciplines, but particularly in courses on social media, mass communication, relational communication, and strategic communication. Successes and Setbacks of Social Media also belongs on the bookshelves of anyone with even a passing interest in the real-world impacts of social media usage.