SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: USAGE PECULIARITIES
Authors: Lamanauskas Vincentas , Šlekienė Violeta , Ragulienė Loreta 
Published: May 2021

Usage of social networking websites is getting more intensive. This is determined by various reasons. However, ICT rapid spread is one of the most determining factors, firstly. New technologies provide various possibilities. Speaking about social networking websites, it is worth to emphasize their diversifiable possibilities. The functionality of social networking websites is increasing, diversifying and this in its own way opens different possibilities for the consumers, also serves as a factor encouraging the usage of social networking sites. It is especially important to understand the essential motives of using social networking websites, to analyze their probable advantages and disadvantages. Educational research was carried out in 2012, in which participated 918 university study 1st–4th course students. Using open questions, qualitative analysis of the obtained data was carried out. Students like SN websites because in them there is a possibility to communicate with acquaintances, with friends and relatives living abroad, to get acquainted with various people not only from Lithuania but also from the whole world, to find useful, suitable information, to share it with the other participants of the portal, have entertainment, i.e. play games, listen to music, look through the photos and so on. SN websites is a joyful way of spending time. To create SN website personal profile(s) was encouraged by friends, relatives, especially those living abroad, the desire to find out how everything is going on, the wish to broaden one’s outlook, not to stay behind the others, to follow the novelties. The creation of the profile was also determined by the possibility to get in touch with somebody very quickly, easy and visual communication with portal participants, the wish to make acquaintances and show oneself, also different games. Students point out the following SN website advantages: the possibility to communicate with many people at one time, to get in touch with the people seen long ago also with the friends and relatives living abroad, the possibility to find proper information and share it, self-realization possibility, because one can freely express ideas, improve English language knowledge and virtual communication abilities, there is a possibility to find friends and new acquaintances. Respondents notice SN website disadvantages too, such as information publicity, lack of privacy, insecurity of presented data, possible lies, deceptions, there is a lot of inaccurate information, a possibility arises to get acquainted with bad people. The participation in SN websites takes a lot of time and this already hinders concentration to studies. Immoderate SN website visit not only increases addiction, but also distracts from real life communication. The communication abilities in real life diminish, it leads to alienation. It is noticed, that unsuitable information for children, teenagers might be found in SN websites which makes the youth dumb and doesn’t encourage improvement. It is noted, that long sitting at the computer is harmful for health and negatively affects general condition of a person. Keywords: qualitative analysis, social networking websites, survey, university students.