The role of social media in shaping first-generation high school students' college aspirations: A social capital lens

Using survey data collected from a sample of high school students in the United States (N = 504), this study examined how different types of social capital associated with parents, close friends, and Facebook Friends were related to students' confidence about their knowledge of the college application process and their expectations about succeeding in college. We found that social media use plays a significant role only for first-generation students – students whose parents did not graduate from college. For first-generation students, finding information about college through social media was associated with higher levels of efficacy about college application procedures. Having access via social media to a broader network of people who could actively answer questions and provide informational support was positively related with first-generation students' expectations about their ability to be successful in college, but was not the case for non first-generations.

► This study used survey data from a diverse set of high school students (N = 504). ► First-generations have less parental support than non first-generations. ► Parents, close friends, and Facebook Friends play different roles in college aspirations. ► Seeking info on social media increased application efficacy for first-generations. ► Knowing someone who attended college on Facebook increased expectation of college success for first-generations.