The rise of social networks has influenced more recent generations to comprehend, interact with and observe our world like never before.

The side effects of prolonged time spent in front of a computer are quantified and explained by people like Michael Gilbert, Senior Fellow at the University of Southern California Center for the Digital Future and new resident of Santa Barbara.  Gilbert volunteered to speak on Friday, Nov. 16 to City College students about the Center’s findings.

“In the year 2000, we started following 2000 American families, watching them and surveying them very closely as to how the internet was impacting their lives.” Gilbert said.  “We now administer this study in 35 countries.”

The families are first asked about their experience with social media, followed by questions that pertain to their specific country.

“Community is at the center of the internet experience,” Gilbert said. “When you log on, where are you headed?” He asked the audience, to which they replied with social networking sites like “Facebook” and “Twitter.”

Because of the amount of time that people are investing in social networking sites there has been a sharp decline in family interactions from “26 hours a week, down to 18 hours a week.”

Gilbert compiled the knowledge from the Center’s study and formed questions from the Beloit College Freshman Mindset List to ask the City College students who attended about their perspective on the topics.

“I enjoy talking to students, I learn, you noticed today that I asked some questions about things that gave me some information,” Gilbert said. “I felt it would be a good contribution to my [speech].”

Sarah Hock, communication professor and faculty advisor for the Sigma Chi Eta Honor Society on campus, was pleased to have Gilbert volunteer to speak to City College students at their Meet The Pros Event about social networking and how it applied to the recent presidential race.

“We may have him come back in the spring,” Hock said. “[Gilbert is] newly moved to the community and is just really interested in supporting the college.”

“I thought it was really good and it was very interesting, and very relevant to us especially because we are the generation of social media,” said communication major Ryan Wittler.