Why academics should make time for social media | Times Higher Education (THE)

"However, the bigger reasons to get on board with social media have to do with the changing world of information and education. Ignoring social media is like ignoring email in 1994. It is defining how a new generation connects with each other, for whom email – as we grew up with it – doesn’t even exist.

The future of the university is also another big reason to invest in social media, as some of the most searched-for universities now are those that are online, rather than those of bricks and mortar. With the rise of massive open online courses and alternative education systems, universities must figure out their online strategy to ensure that they stay in touch with students. If your university isn’t using SnapChat, then it’s losing a big opportunity to relate to students.

One key thing to remember is that while platforms such as Pokémon Go may seem like they are just for kids, those kids will end up making choices about their future education – and the best way to engage with them will be to have a presence within these environments. Institutions and commercial companies are already populating Pokémon Go. To access this population, universities would be smart to follow."