Example communications dissertation topic 3:

The appropriateness of Facebook as a global communication tool for youth aged seven to seventeen.

In September 2012 it was announced that the social networking website, Facebook (founded in 2004) had reached one billion users. If Facebook were seen as a country, then this population mass would make it the world’s third largest country, behind China (1.5 billion) and India (1.2 billion). Of those billion account-holders, 7.5 million are aged below thirteen, and 5 million below the age of ten; yet it is contrary to Facebook’s terms of service that children under the age of thirteen may hold accounts. This dissertation examines whether such terms of service are appropriate, or whether in fact the use of Facebook is acceptable for children above the age of seven (having attained a basic level of literacy) in achieving greater levels of global understanding. The thesis particularly focuses on whether public protection safeguards should be employed for all users, regardless of age.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• De Souza, Z. and Dick, G.N. (2010). ‘Disclosure of information by children in social networking: Not just a case of “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine”‘, International Journal of Information Management, Vol. 29(4), pp. 255-261.
• Livingstone, S. and Brake, D.R. (2010). ‘On the rapid rise of social networking sites: New findings and policy implications’, Children & Society, Vol. 24(1), pp. 75-83.
• O’Keeffe, G.S. and Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). ‘The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families’, Pediatrics, Vol. 127(4), pp. 800-804.