The Student Room Group

As far as social media goes, what accounts do you need at university?

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Original post by Odd1
Well not having social media doesn't mean you'll be a loner! :erm: It's called smiling when you talk and smelling nice and pronouncing your words and having good ideas :s-smilie:


It doesn't make you a loner but it makes it so there's unnecessary work required to contact you, which means you're less likely to get invited to things or people might not ask you about work as much, things which could lead to friendships.
Reply 41
Original post by Helloworld_95
During anything.


Right, thanks for clearing that up. The only part I understood was when you said, using social media when it's unnecessary to meet up. Well obviously but it's still not a need to have these things. It's called a phone. It might be easier on the socially eager person to just join all these things once they see other people are on them. But other people are on them because they probably saw other people were on them.

Again it's technically not a need. No one makes a good reputation for themselves if they're a social butterfly on the computer and still an awkward loner in person.
Reply 42
Original post by Odd1
Well not having social media doesn't mean you'll be a loner! :erm: It's called smiling when you talk and smelling nice and pronouncing your words and having good ideas :s-smilie:


You don't have to be! But there's no point in hindering yourself for no reason. You can run a 100m with a cake on your head, but it's a lot easier to take the cake off.

Even if you're very socially connected, without these social media things you will miss out on things being planned (particularly whatsapp) and miss out on larger, non-uni organised events (particularly Facebook) where organisers can't individually invite everyone in person. It also saves on having to have things clarified, especially things you might not have thought of (e.g. for a party, should you bring anything, has the time changed, what's the sleeping arrangements, how's everyone getting home, etc).

Edit to add: I HAVE A USE FOR SNAPCHAT! It allows you to see the minutiaie of what's going on in your friends' lives, making conversation much easier, because you can just refer back to what you've seen on Snapchat, and ask about that.

Original post by Bath~Student
What do they (yikyak) want from you to sign up - security-wise?


You can vote/view it without giving anything. To post, you need to come up with a handle (which doesn't have to be included in posts/comments). I think they want your mobile number as well, but nothing more.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 43
Original post by Pro Crastination
Ha! Reminds me of the kind of weird social life I had when I was 14, and yes, that sort of stuff is majorly awkward, which is why I've avoided it ever since.

Plus, I think once you reach a certain age, everyone (okay this doesn't apply to everyone) just becomes a little less defensive and becomes more emotionally open, so you can have those kind of 'open' conversations with people without the need for the kind of distance that a phone/computer provides; granted it doesn't come as quickly, but it's worth it.


Haven't you ever met that person though who's glued to their pc and has all these internet friends but is reality wise still a loner? I'm not saying people can't strengthen their social skills with a bit of social media but I thought it was normally the other way around: you are already social and just take photos of your social life, and reconsolidate this reputation.
Original post by Odd1
Right, thanks for clearing that up. The only part I understood was when you said, using social media when it's unnecessary to meet up. Well obviously but it's still not a need to have these things. It's called a phone. It might be easier on the socially eager person to just join all these things once they see other people are on them. But other people are on them because they probably saw other people were on them.

Again it's technically not a need. No one makes a good reputation for themselves if they're a social butterfly on the computer and still an awkward loner in person.

It clears it up pretty damn well actually, it's universally applied. Meet new people, "add me on facebook", get elected to a committee or have to do a project, "let's create a group chat to discuss any problems", join a society and they're going to post the majority of their updates and events on facebook, if they mention it as an announcement at a meeting it's essentially a sidenote to people who don't check their facebook.

Do you not realise that using your phone is the same concept? Only difference is that it's seen as an older, inefficient way of doing things. It's very odd to use one unless the matter is personal or time sensitive.
Reply 45
Original post by Odd1
Haven't you ever met that person though who's glued to their pc and has all these internet friends but is reality wise still a loner? I'm not saying people can't strengthen their social skills with a bit of social media but I thought it was normally the other way around: you are already social and just take photos of your social life, and reconsolidate this reputation.


For sure, there has to be a balance. But I don't think Whatsapp or Snapchat really eat into your time much. For me, Facebook doesn't either, it's a <5m a day thing. There is a good argument against YikYak, but even that keeps you up to date with all the gossip.

I think forums are the biggest 'fake social life', that do definitely suck a lot of time (far more than the ~10m a day I spend on the other social media places). But on the other hand, they keep you up-to-date with current events, and can provide some interesting viewpoints and knowledge.
Reply 46
Original post by JoeTSR
You don't have to be! But there's no point in hindering yourself for no reason. You can run a 100m with a cake on your head, but it's a lot easier to take the cake off.

Even if you're very socially connected, without these social media things you will miss out on things being planned (particularly whatsapp) and miss out on larger, non-uni organised events (particularly Facebook) where organisers can't individually invite everyone in person. It also saves on having to have things clarified, especially things you might not have thought of (e.g. for a party, should you bring anything, has the time changed, what's the sleeping arrangements, how's everyone getting home, etc).

Edit to add: I HAVE A USE FOR SNAPCHAT! It allows you to see the minutiaie of what's going on in your friends' lives, making conversation much easier, because you can just refer back to what you've seen on Snapchat, and ask about that.

About your last edited bit and using Snapchat to develop conversations later.
So would you never have anything to talk about without it? That's my point, I'm sure you would, but nowadays for some people their world revolves around social media. I couldn't bear being in a conversation about social media. It's virtually saying "we'd never have anything to discuss otherwise." Or, "we do, but I'd rather talk about that silly photo." I do however understand that these are becoming the times, even if it's completely unnecessary.

Yes again I understand the benefits, like borderline stalking what the latest news is, and that people might be taken aback if you don't know simply because you don't have social media. That's why even I told OP to make one quickly and set it to private if he/she so wants to. However again I'm sure you can still find out about these things if you simply opened your mouth and asked, "hey when are we meeting up?" No one is going to say, "You're so ****ing weird, you don't know because you don't have Facebook!" And if they are imbeciles as such, step away and disassociate yourself before it's too late lol
Reply 47
OP says they don't have any smartphones so what now. Why are people still recommending whatsapp and snapchat and thank God no one's said Instagram.

So consensus is: "buy an unnecessary and probably expensive gadget for a student, simply because you don't have real life social skills and won't be developing them especially now because you'll only speak on apps"?
Reply 48
Original post by Helloworld_95
It clears it up pretty damn well actually, it's universally applied. Meet new people, "add me on facebook", get elected to a committee or have to do a project, "let's create a group chat to discuss any problems", join a society and they're going to post the majority of their updates and events on facebook, if they mention it as an announcement at a meeting it's essentially a sidenote to people who don't check their facebook.

Do you not realise that using your phone is the same concept? Only difference is that it's seen as an older, inefficient way of doing things. It's very odd to use one unless the matter is personal or time sensitive.


Lol none of those are standard and I'm at Uni and people definitely communicate...offline. What is archaic about using a phone? It's not inefficient because phones don't work, it's inefficient because these mega corps have made it almost impossible to do anything with just a phone. If you want to validate on a website to join or something, many only offer texting the code as ways to validate. So now it's impossible when all they had to do was call or send a bloody email. These apps and devices are only a couple years old. I'm sure humanity has gone on just fine without them? But as I've acknowledged, yes it might be easier but still not a necessity.
Reply 49
Original post by Odd1
About your last edited bit and using Snapchat to develop conversations later.
So would you never have anything to talk about without it? That's my point, I'm sure you would, but nowadays for some people their world revolves around social media. I couldn't bear being in a conversation about social media. It's virtually saying "we'd never have anything to discuss otherwise." Or, "we do, but I'd rather talk about that silly photo." I do however understand that these are becoming the times, even if it's completely unnecessary.

Yes again I understand the benefits, like borderline stalking what the latest news is, and that people might be taken aback if you don't know simply because you don't have social media. That's why even I told OP to make one quickly and set it to private if he/she so wants to. However again I'm sure you can still find out about these things if you simply opened your mouth and asked, "hey when are we meeting up?" No one is going to say, "You're so ****ing weird, you don't know because you don't have Facebook!" And if they are imbeciles as such, step away and disassociate yourself before it's too late lol


I dislike social media too, but it's the way things are going, and surely there's no agreement that (limited) usage will improve your social life, at least a little bit?

Re talking, it's not that you wouldn't have anything to discuss, it's just a wider range of topics, so you can keep the conversation going for hours if you want to. "Oh, I saw you went to London the other day, what was the exhibition like, did you do anything else...", "did you get that work finished in the end", "how did you make that food?" etc. Snapchat has identified that I had silverfish in my bathroom before. I've helped someone understand an incomprehensible book over Snapchat too. People post the big things (that are conversation-worthy) on Snapchat too, it's not just snaps of people walking their dog.

Or are you concerned at all that you'll be talking too much online and then have nothing to say in person? (If so, I can give tips on that)

Of course they're not going to be ***** because you don't have Facebook, but they might not think to tell you, the event might be short-notice, the people you talk to most might not be going, etc. I'm sure you can think of a million reasons why you might only find out via Facebook other than your friends being dicks.

What's your main argument against mild, occasional social media use? Is it the lack of things to talk about in person I mentioned? Or wasting too much time on it? Or something else?

Edit: I like how t*** is censored, but dick isn't.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Odd1
Lol none of those are standard and I'm at Uni and people definitely communicate...offline. What is archaic about using a phone? It's not inefficient because phones don't work, it's inefficient because these mega corps have made it almost impossible to do anything with just a phone. If you want to validate on a website to join or something, many only offer texting the code as ways to validate. So now it's impossible when all they had to do was call or send a bloody email. These apps and devices are only a couple years old. I'm sure humanity has gone on just fine without them? But as I've acknowledged, yes it might be easier but still not a necessity.


I don't know where you go to where they aren't standard but at mine and my home friend's who go to uni they are. It's possible that it is at your uni but you don't know about it as a result of the clique you're in.

I've come across text validation twice in my life, and yeah they use it because it's more secure than email and doesn't use up the resources of having to hire someone to call you.

These devices and apps have been around for a decade, literally half your life. Sure humanity survived without them, but equally we survived with firewood ovens instead of gas and electric stoves.
Facebook to stay in touch with old friends and everyone always creates group chats and stuff
Reply 52
Original post by JoeTSR
I dislike social media too, but it's the way things are going, and surely there's no agreement that (limited) usage will improve your social life, at least a little bit?

Re talking, it's not that you wouldn't have anything to discuss, it's just a wider range of topics, so you can keep the conversation going for hours if you want to. "Oh, I saw you went to London the other day, what was the exhibition like, did you do anything else...", "did you get that work finished in the end", "how did you make that food?" etc. Snapchat has identified that I had silverfish in my bathroom before. I've helped someone understand an incomprehensible book over Snapchat too. People post the big things (that are conversation-worthy) on Snapchat too, it's not just snaps of people walking their dog.

Or are you concerned at all that you'll be talking too much online and then have nothing to say in person? (If so, I can give tips on that)

Of course they're not going to be ***** because you don't have Facebook, but they might not think to tell you, the event might be short-notice, the people you talk to most might not be going, etc. I'm sure you can think of a million reasons why you might only find out via Facebook other than your friends being dicks.

What's your main argument against mild, occasional social media use? Is it the lack of things to talk about in person I mentioned? Or wasting too much time on it? Or something else?


You can use social media (this is about with people who you would know in real life), and it's not exactly going to make anyone closer, it's just sometimes made it easier to talk to them, especially if they saw your photo when you were with your nan or something, everyone will be aware, but then you see them face to face and it's still the same situation, if they like you or not.

The only way I can see it would help people in real life socialise with each other is if they actually liked each other beforehand. Or they got encouragement from virtual friends to do something they'd never do. I've never actually seen social media put a pep in an otherwise insecure person's step lol but again I'm not saying it wouldn't happen.

I see a great use for the internet and social media if and only IF you already have a nice social life or career or family and post about that. Still not necessary to do this, unless you're a celebrity or business owner, or seeking to become one. I facepalm when I see people talking to themselves on twitter waiting for a retweet of their asinine or genius post, or @'ing a celebrity or exploiting themselves with no gains back, or only have like 40 followers or something, I just feel bad for em. It's like why are you doing this?

And if they know each other in real life, unless it's a Like given or something or a quick "lol I remember that night" it's just cringe to see them talking to each other back and forth. Like this can wait till tomorrow when you inevitably see each other again, no? :s-smilie:

And again the group chats can happen in person after a lecture or you guys schedule it or something.

You say when it's unnecessary to meet up then group chat, but if it's unnecessary to meet up then perhaps the chat is unnecessary to have as well.

Also something to do with boundaries. Need we chat at 3am? I also don't get when I see the same person constantly on their phone chatting away, like, "geez, do you ever give this person a bloody rest? :s-smilie:"

I also know people pretend they've got something to do on their phone but they're not doing anything, they just get nervous and pull it out and scroll their thumb around to look busy.

Also I mean if you're looking for a bloody job most people will say I think that online applications suck, yet it might be easier for the person who's too shy or lazy to just go up to a desk and ask for offers.
Reply 53
Original post by yoda123
Facebook to stay in touch with old friends and everyone always creates group chats and stuff


Lol that seems to be the only benefit, the group chat thing keeps coming up. Like group chat in person. People unfortunately have just arbitrarily climbed and clung onto the back of these senseless bandwagons.
Reply 54
Original post by Helloworld_95
I don't know where you go to where they aren't standard but at mine and my home friend's who go to uni they are. It's possible that it is at your uni but you don't know about it as a result of the clique you're in.

I've come across text validation twice in my life, and yeah they use it because it's more secure than email and doesn't use up the resources of having to hire someone to call you.

These devices and apps have been around for a decade, literally half your life. Sure humanity survived without them, but equally we survived with firewood ovens instead of gas and electric stoves.


I don't know what sites you want to join or what interactions and transactions you make on the internet, so of course your number of times of having to validate has been different to mine but if you have just minimised the instances of needing text to even validate membership on something, then you've proven my point it's completely worthless to ask for this. No one is hired to call, that's literally their job and it's definitely more of a standard to call in professional situations. Also many businesses and websites have automated voice mail so what do you mean, someone to call?...

You don't know my age and no like snapchat and whatsapp have been around for only a few years...

The dishwasher and electric stove is irrelevant because they provide more efficiency for necessary things like cooking and cleaning. Facebook group chats provide more efficiency to freaking talk to people you see everyday or who you barely know loool
Reply 55
You guys are just making the same like 5 dudes dirt rich using their crap for useless things but ok.
Reply 56
Original post by Odd1
*snip*


I think you're talking about extreme use, which I totally get. You don't need to snapchat yourself taking a dump. But I think mild usage can be beneficial.

And for sure, the main thing is talking to people you're already friends with, else it becomes no more beneficial than 99% of forum interaction (though occasionally you might run into someone and go 'oh hey, you were in X group!' as a conversation starter)

I think any level of social life can benefit from mild social media usage, especially a lower level of social life actually - diminishing returns.

Facebook I wouldn't use for chat other than the things you mentioned (liking an odd post, a very quick comment, a happy birthday message). And I agree, Twitter is generally meh unless you're running a business and using it for that.

I don't think I said when it's unnecessary to meet up, group chat, but it can be helpful for little things ('do the three of you want to go to the pub later?', 'how much do I owe everyone', 'where should we go on holiday'), maybe expanding on them once you meet up in person.

Boundaries? Simple, don't respond at 3AM, if they want to do that, either go silent and pick the conversation up in the morning, or tell them you need to go to bed (and turn notifications off).
I need facebook and whatsapp because that's how my sports club contacts each other.

Posted from TSR Mobile
you do realise you can get smartphones for like £50 they are not that expensive
Original post by Odd1
Lol that seems to be the only benefit, the group chat thing keeps coming up. Like group chat in person. People unfortunately have just arbitrarily climbed and clung onto the back of these senseless bandwagons.


so you are saying that if i want some help with work like one question i should go all the way to the person (presuming they know the answer group chat has more people so it is more likely one will know the answer) so i can get the answer from them

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