Teens buck social media trend

Queenslanders spend more time on social media than other states and territories, according to a survey.

By SONJA KOREMANS

THE art of face-to-face conversation is alive and well on the Southern Downs.
That’s despite experts warning that Queenslanders are at risk of social isolation, spending less time with friends and family in person than any other state or territory.
Queenslanders are also more likely to communicate with their friends and family over social media, according to a study of 1200 Australians, conducted by Pure Profile.
Not surprisingly, teens had the highest number citing social media as their preferred way of communicating, according to the research.
But staff at Warwick State High School and the Scots PGC College don’t believe their students behavior reflect the findings.
Scots PGC College principal Simon Shepherd said social media was just a small part of student communication in and out of the classroom, with strict rules around its access.
“Students use electronic devices and social media in the classroom as part of the modern pencil case, just like you would in a work environment, to enhance productivity,” Mr Shepherd said.
“But you wouldn’t be on social media while you are conducting a work meeting, the same is how the students treat digital technology in the classroom.”
At Warwick High, students are able to bring mobile phones and other electronic devices to school but these are turned off in class.
“We have strict social media guidelines that our students comply with as part of the Education Department’s Responsible Behaviour Plan,” a Warwick High spokesman said.
Copies of these were regularly sent home to parents so that they were familiar with terms set out for the students, he said.
Psychologist Sabina Read advises parents to work with their children to determine a reasonable daily tech time limit.
“Encourage deeper interaction by making meal times a device-free zone and think about what it is as parents you are bringing to the table to make that time fun and engaging – talking about school work is only likely to have the opposite result,” Ms Read said.
She said it was difficult to to ascertain why there was a higher preference for social media communication in Queensland than other states.
The Pure Profile study was conducted on behalf of The Coffee Club.