Towards an international culture: Gen Y students and SNS?

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a small-scale investigation into the Internet user behaviour of generation Y (Gen Y) students, with particular reference to social networking sites. The study adds to the literature on cross-cultural Internet user behaviour with specific reference to Gen Y and social networking. It compares how a cohort of international students makes use of SNS for academic work and for recreational purposes. The study also explores the notion of ‘second-level digital divide’ which holds that urban dwellers will use the Internet in a different way from suburban and rural dwellers. The findings point to broad areas of commonality among students and some disparity in their Internet user behaviour, indicating the importance of proceeding with caution when using technology-enhanced learning, to avoid over-generalizing the needs of the so-called Gen Y students.