IASLIC 26th National Seminar to be held at Gauhati University, Guwahati, during November 25-28, 2014

1. By
Prafulla Kr Mahanta
Librarian
Assm down town University
mahanta.prafulla2007@gmail.com
Tinku Pegu
Librarian
HCDG College, Sivasagar, Assam
tinkupegu1981@gmail.com
Students’ perception and use of social
networking sites: a survey among the
students of Assam down town University
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IASLIC 26th National Seminar to be held at Gauhati University, Guwahati,
during November 25-28, 2014

2. Introduction
 A social networking is an online service, platform or site that
focuses on building and reflecting of social network or social
relations among people who share interest and activities.
Social networking often involves grouping specific individuals
or organizations together.
 The social networking sites includes Facebook ,WhatsAap
MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, hi5, YouTube, Wikipedia,
Flickr, Blog, Slideshare etc.
 In 2004 Mark Zuckerberg along with fellow of computer
science students launched Facebook. Flickr is a photo
sharing website which has launched in the year 2004.
YouTube, the first video sharing and hosting site was
launched in the year 2005 and later it was purchased by
Google in 2006.
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3. Scope of the Study
 This Study covers only the Students of Assam down town
University, Panikhaiti, Guwahati-26, Assam.
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4. Objective of the Study
 To know the awareness of Social networking sites among the
students of Assam down town University;
 To know the status of sources for getting information about
social networking sites;
 To know the commonly used social networking sites by the
students;
 To know the purpose of using social networking sites by the
students;
 To know the influence of social networking sites for study/
academic purpose;
 To know the opinion about social networking sites and
 To find out the problems faced by the students while using
social networking sites. 4

5. Methodology
 The methodology used for this is based on Survey method. A
structure questionnaire is designed to collect data from a
representative sample of 160 students. A total of 152
questionnaires received back which comes to an overall
response rate is 95%. The data were analyzed by using
frequency counts and simple percentage to answer the
research question.
Number of
Respondent
95%
Number of
Non
Respondent
5%
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6. Result and Discussion
Awareness about social networking sites
Social networking sites No of responses(n=152)
Facebook.com 147(96.71%)
MySpace.com 57(37.50%)
LinkedIn.com 42(27.63%)
Friendster.com 39(25.65%)
hi5.com 42(27.63%)
WhatsAap 110(72.36%)
Twitter 114(75.00%)
YouTube.com 143(94.07%)
Flickr.com 66(43.42%)
Wikipedia.com 117(76.97%)
Blog 60(39.47%)
Slideshare 27(17.76%)
Google+ 135(88.81%)
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7. Sources of information about
social networking sites
Sources No of responses(n=152)
Internet 144(94.73%)
Teachers 111(73.02%)
Friends 135(88.81%)
Library staff 60(39.47%)
Newspaper and magazine 123(80.92%)
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8. Commonly used
social networking sites
Social networking sites No of responses(n=152)
Facebook.com 135(88.81%)
MySpace.com 39(25.65%)
LinkedIn.com 30(19.73%)
Friendster.com 18(11.84%)
hi5.com 36(23.68%)
WhatsAap 90(59.21%)
Twitter 84(55.26%)
YouTube.com 132(86.84%)
Flickr.com 39(25.65%)
Wikipedia.com 102(67.10%)
Blog 45(33.33%)
Slideshare 15(9.86%)
Google+ 130(85.52%)
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9. Name and photos used in
social networking sites
Name and photos used No of despondences(N=152)
Real 134(88.15%)
False 18(11.84%)
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10. Purpose of using
social networking sites
Purposes No of responses(n=152)
Friendly communication 144(94.73%)
Academic communication 123(80.92%)
To discuss new ideas 126(82.89%)
To publish writings 69(45.39%)
To discuss social issues and events 105(69.07%)
Promote themselves or their work 99(65.13%)
Find useful information 141(92.76%)
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11. Influence of social networking sites for
study/ academic purpose
Social networking sites No of responses(n=152)
Helps in study and learning 135(88.81%)
Collection of materials 102(67.10%)
Develop read and write web skills 117(76.97%)
Collaborative and peer-to-peer learning 90(59.21%)
Increase self-esteem and well being 114(75.00%)
Virtual meeting with other students/faculty 87(57.23%)
Developing an e-portfolio for future
employment
90(59.21%)
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12. Opinion about
social networking sites
Social networking sites No of responses(n=152)
Helpful for easy communication 144(94.73%)
Easy for communicating with many 138(90.78%)
Easy for contacting old and new friends 141(92.76%)
Useful for academic communication 141(92.76%)
Addiction of Social networking sites 75(49.34%)
Unable to concentrate on study 60(39.47%)
Waste of Time 54(35.52%)
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13. Problems faced
while using social networking sites
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Non
availability of
full-fledged
internet
facility
Fear of
misusing
personnel
information
Lack of Time Lack of
Security and
privacy
Information
literacy
problems
Cyber
bullying
69.07%
59.21% 55.26%
43.42%
27.63%
43.42%
Problems faced by the students
Response rate
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14. Conclusion
 find useful information for their study and
learning purposes.
 Non-availability of full-fledge internet facility is
the main constraint
 Gradually increase and enhance their
educational activities as well as enhance
collaborating with their colleagues and
faculties.
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15. Thank You
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