Social media is sure to skyrocket with homecoming vastly approaching. Social media will play a big role in every event.

Though social media can have its advantages, students should be aware of its negative affects when used inappropriately.

Social media sites date back to 1985 when people had to search computers, but now social networks are accessible through mobile phones, tablets, iPads, or computer. Today, there is not just one way to stay connected to what is going on.

Social media sites are meant to keep people connected. Being socially connected is always good, but the problem is when it takes a negative turn. A person’s character is in question when sexually explicit actions are being put out. When girls begin to post dancing videos or both males and females post pictures of themselves participating in illegal activity, it usually results in a negative outcome.

“Social media is a powerful tool for our generation and the generations to come. In about ten years, social media has been established as a reputable means for sharing information,” said Courtney Jackson, Social Media Manager for North Carolina A&T. “Social media has fueled revolutions. It has ended careers, and it has become a staple in all the major organizations in the world.”

Some members of the student body are considered Generation Y, meaning they live in the now instead of focusing on what is to come later. According to Forbes magazine, Generation Y is the generation that is going nowhere and they are fine with that.

During the time of the most socially connected generation, Generation Y, word spreads quickly. Someone can attempt to figure out who an individual is through social networks, such as Instagram and Twitter, and never lays eyes on him or her in person.

“I think it reflects negatively on our generation because you see it a lot. But I do think that it’s impactful to know what people around the world are doing,” said Kendrick Smith, an A&T junior. “It allows us to see how certain societies live or how they react to different things. It’s a negative and a positive.”

SGA President Canisha Turner sent out a letter to the student body on Oct. 14 regarding various social media post that are and have been associated with A&T.

In the letter, Turner says, “The University is requesting that students do not use #ncat hashtag or its logo to make derogatory statements about another person or to post sexually explicit photos and videos that may cause embarrassment of humiliation.”

“We are an HBCU, so we are constantly under the radar… It’s a spiraling effect of negative things that can happen from the misusage of social media,” said Turner. “Now, I don’t think that all social media is bad, at all, we just have to use it in a positive way.”

A&T has taken many negative hits when it comes to social media because students are unaware that tagging the school in posts creates havoc for the university.

Though the student handbook does not specifically state the consequences for inappropriate and negative social media posts, administration strongly urges that students be aware of

cause the school but also for themselves in the future.

Inappropriate use of any company or university’s name could result in legal issues.

• Taylor Young, Register Reporter