Tyson Winder, Dixie State University
Social and Behavioral Sciences
The purpose of this research is to evaluate various influences that social networking sites can have on families, with a particular focus on adolescents within the family. The research focuses primarily on the social networking site Facebook for the evaluation. The information evaluated will be viewed through the lens of structural functionalism. Structural functionalists place strong emphasis on the role of the nuclear family in society. In this perspective the family is viewed as the primary source for socialization and as a result any exterior or interior influences on the family can drastically alter that socialization process. Studies will be presented for the advantages and disadvantages of social networking sites on the family. Possible future implications of such influences will be taken in to consideration as well.