Net generation at social software: Challenging assumptions, clarifying relationships and raising implications for learning

This paper takes as its starting point assumptions about use of information and communication technology (ICT) by people born after 1983, the so called net generation. The focus of the paper is on social networking. A questionnaire survey was carried out with 1070 students from schools in Eastern Finland. Data are presented on students’ ICT-skills generally; their access to the Internet; their use of social software; and time spent on the Internet compared to watching television. Results show that whereas there are some general characteristics of ICT use that can be applied to net generation students, when it comes to social networking there are differences in the way they use software. A critique is offered of generalisations about the net generation and some implications for learning arising from the findings are discussed.

► We discuss characteristics of the Finnish net generation. ► We describe students’ familiarity with and use of social software. ► Students are not as familiar with social software as expected. ► The number of software used actively was smaller than expected. ► Net generation students should not be regarded as a homogeneous group.