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University Bans Facebook, Twitter for a Week
Filed under: In The News
Could you survive a Facebook blackout? Credit: Photo illustration by Chris Jackson, Getty Images
What's it like to go cold turkey on Facebook? Do you get the DTs? Is there a detox program for that?
One higher education institution is about to find out, providing its students with a forced intervention. The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, Pa., is enforcing a week-long social media blackout this week for all students who live on campus, National Public Radio reports.
Students are forbidden from using instant messaging, Twitter and Facebook, and all online communication is limited to e-mail. According to an interview with NPR, Provost Eric Darr wants students to step away from their laptops and smart phones long enough to mull over the impact technology has on their daily lives.
"Often, there are behaviors or habits, ways that we use technology, that we may ourselves not even be able to articulate because we're not aware of them," Darr tells NPR.
Once the blackout ends, students will be asked to write essays about their time away from social media.
How is the ban being enforced? Simple: The campus network is blocking access to the social sites. Students with smart phones and those who live off campus are on the honor system, but can still update their statuses and tweet.
"If someone feels the need to borrow their friend's phone to go check (Facebook), it'll be interesting to ask the question at the end of the week: Why did you feel the need to do that? What compelled you to do that?" Darr tells NPR.
Related: Students Who Use Facebook Get Lower Grades, Study Shows
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-15-2010 @ 2:38PM
Alex said..."If someone feels the need to borrow their friend's phone to go check (Facebook), it'll be interesting to ask the question at the end of the week: Why did you feel the need to do that? What compelled you to do that?" Darr tells NPR.
Yeah.. Why did you feel the need to communicate with your friends and family?
What compelled you to remain in contact with the people close in your life?
Silly kids, you dont need friends or family. LOL this school is a joke. STOP trying to control people's personal lives.
I understand during-school use could be distracting if laptops are allowed in class. Why should it matter what someone does on their own time? Stop trying to impose a social blackout, all you are doing is making it significantly harder to contact family or friends.
Reply
9-15-2010 @ 9:09PM
shell said...If they are that close you can always write a letter ,it does say you can e-mail ,maybe even I don't know ..Call?
9-15-2010 @ 2:47PM
fortunatehuman said...what a joke! get a real life people! how lonely you must be! there is soo much more to life than sitting on your pcs all day or texting! try creating something with your brains & hands! who knows....you may even invent something & become a millionaire a few times over! you've got the energy & passion...
Reply
9-15-2010 @ 2:59PM
Alex said...You say what a joke get off your PC.. So you must have uploaded your reply via smart phone? Haha joker..
9-15-2010 @ 3:56PM
fortunatehuman said...I AM REFERRING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON FACEBOOK CONSTANTLY. I KNOW MANY OF THEM. I AM ON PC BECAUSE OF MY BUSINESS!
9-15-2010 @ 6:53PM
Alex said...Oh you work at parentdish.com? Or are you one of the many people that use a PC, dont fight it, embrace it!
9-16-2010 @ 5:04AM
Alicia said...Apparently fortunatehuman has not learned that typing in caps is bad internet etiquette.
9-15-2010 @ 11:53PM
grix said...all of you have failed to see the idea of this. they want to see how social media has permeated our lives, and the lives of our kids.
Reply
9-16-2010 @ 2:51AM
Nadine said...Alex, your argument about using PCs is a moot point. No one was talking about banning the use of computers. The university is banning FACEBOOK and TWITTER. You can still use computers, email, and call people. If you really were close to your family and friends you could just CALL them.
Reply