Effects of Social Networks on Social Life of Undergraduate Students

The aim of the study is to determine the effects social networks on social life of freshmen and sophomores. The study was designed as a qualitative case study. Data was collected through focus group interviews. The participants were 24 teacher candidates studying in various departments in the faculty of education. Only four studentsexpressed that social networking has no effect at all while others agreed that social networking has somewhat positive or negative effects on their social lives. The most common positive effect emerged as keeping in touch with the ones whom can be seen rarely or cannot be seen at all. The pictures and videos shared in social networks seem to help the users start conversation. Although, the participating students expressed that communicating with old friends through social networks as one positive effect of these sites, they also mentioned that changing lifestyles by time may cause negativities in communication. Some of the participants had complaints on side effects of adding their relatives to the friends list. As a significant finding of the study, some students pointed out they spend too much time on social networks because they cannot find anything better to do. It seems that at least some of the students could have used social networks less if they had more opportunities of spending their spare time on sports, arts or other social events.