Introduction
"The Times they are a changing"
There will always be a debate about the role of social networking in the classroom. When and how it is used can often pose either an opportunity or a challenge to educators. In addition, making sure students are navigating the Internet safely is always of the utmost importance. Still, social networking sites can often be a great tool for educators to use. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Ning, and many others give students a platform in which they can create dialogue and interact with other students around the world; however, sometimes this interaction comes at a heavy price. With the advent of social networking comes the notion that students are becoming lonely and are losing their identities behind an online profile. Has social networking created a culture in which we can no longer adequately communicate face to face? Another concerning notion is the fact that students are no longer only bullied at school, but online as well. Cyber-bullying has created many victims, some of which go to extreme measures to feel safe again. The problem has become not only what some students are saying at schools, but what they are saying online. These issues and others often leave educators grappling with the question: Is social networking really worth it?