Social media and college access

Shelly Farnham explores research and applications of social media networked publics at individual, organizational, and societal levels. Social media may provide a way to connect adolescents with valuable sources of information and support. Research in this area is still in early stages, but some scholarship suggests that certain uses of Facebook can help individuals build social capital, bridging social capital. Facebook is well suited to facilitating bridging social capital because it lowers the barriers for interacting with weak ties. Research in this area, along with that of other collaborators, has focused on high school students' use of social media in the context of college access. Recent interventions coordinated through H&R Block and the College Board have illustrated the effectiveness of personalized information in encouraging students to attend college and in helping students make informed decisions about where to apply and where to attend.