The Impact of Social Networks on the Development of Students’ Social Competence

Abstract

The article analyzes the possibilities which virtual social networks provide for the development of youth’s social competence. The authors analyze the results of the survey on the students’ use of virtual social networks for communication. To achieve the purpose of the research and to determine the essence and significance of social competence we used methods of analysis, synthesis and generalization of research works; the method of observation was used to identify the peculiarities of communication between young people in social networks; the method of questionnaire was used to collect information about the students’ preferences regarding the choice of specific virtual social networks for communication. The results of observations and questionnaires confirmed the suggestion that the time young people spend on online communication and surfing the Internet is increasing. The survey results of 107 students studying in Year 1-4 at the pedagogical university (Ukraine) let us make a conclusion that they often stay on virtual social networks browsing them from 2 to 4 times a day (51,4%). Almost a third of students are constantly on social networks. The most popular ones appeared to be Instagram (83,1%) and Facebook (28%). With the help of social networks students actively communicate with group mates (80,4%), friends and family (78,5%). Further research is planned to consider the ways how to avoid the negative effects of the Internet on students’ personality.