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Social Capital and Social Skills

When someone actively participates in a social media site such as Facebook or LinkedIn, they are building what is called social capital in addition to enhancing their basic social skills. Broadly put, social capital refers to the resources accumulated through the formation of interpersonal relationships. Depending on the extent to which one’s relationships span, their level of social capital could prove to be very valuable to them, especially if drawing on these relationships leads to an increased ability to do things like find employment or gather information.

In the scholarly study The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites, it was found by surveying a group of 286 Michigan State University students that there is an extremely strong correlation between the use of Facebook and the possession of social capital. According to the study, students with Facebook accounts found it easier to maintain ties with old friends or acquaintances, as well as to strengthen newer connections. While this much may not seem incredibly surprising, the more interesting information comes from the study’s conclusion that the amount of social capital that any particular student has can be significantly predicted by the intensity with which they use Facebook. This being said, those who spend larger portions of their time on social networking sites ultimately find it easier to utilize and benefit from their relationships with both close friends and mere acquaintances. Essentially, the more one is able to actively participate in social networking sites, the greater success they will have in activities such as organizing groups, being involved in their community, and finding easier routes to employment.

Relating this back to what was discussed in the section Social Media’s Impact, it is now apparent that those without high-speed internet connections in their homes will undoubtedly fall behind in the development of social capital. This phenomenon still occurs whether or not one has a social networking account, as the ability to frequently access an account is what is important in determining the benefits one receives from social media. As such, social media participation rates often give off a false sense that social media is helping to bridge the digital divide, when in reality it is leading to a new form of expansion. As more people than ever are now unable to improve their social situations strictly because they fall into demographics that lack internet access, they are unable to socially keep up with those that are able to fully participated in social networking.

In addition to an increase in social capital, boosted usage of social networking sites is also correlated to an increase in basic social and communication skills. Additionally, according to the Digital Youth Project and findings from June Ahn’s research, usage of social media sites also leads to an increase in general technical literacy, a skill that will prove to be essential for skilled higher paying employment moving forward. Thus, those who lack high speed internet at home will generally display decreased proficiency in general social and technical situations.

Furthermore, researches have found evidence that supports the general claim that Facebook users have an overall higher degree of psychological well-being. According to a 2011 article from the LA Times, Facebook users who log into Facebook daily are three times more likely than non-internet users to believe that most people can be trusted, in addition to having larger friend groups and a higher sense of self esteem. Essentially, frequent Facebook users tend to be more “satisfied with life”, while those who are not online “have the smallest social networks, are more socially isolated, get the least amount of social support and are least likely to vote.” According to Keith Hampton of the University of Pennsylvania, “The real digital divide today is a social network divide.”

These conclusions are all clear evidence that social media is in fact widening the already large gap that is caused by the digital divide. It is therefore essential in moving forward that we as a country institute new policies that would enable all citizens to be online and to contribute and participate in all aspects of society. If this were to happen, the United States would see a major economic boost as well as an increase in overall citizen satisfaction, as cheap online education and social networking would lead to increases in innovation and productivity while simultaneously decreasing our current day poverty gap. Essentially, if America wants to remain an international superpower, the digital divide must be addressed.