Study: Social Connectivity critical to 94 per cent of Canadian Students

"With nearly 50% of families ending in divorce, many of this generation view their friends as their primary form of stability," says Dr. Karyn GordonAs students tackle the transition between grade school to high school, or high school to university, their top priority is to stay connected to their social sphere. A new study revealed today just how important it is to university students that they stay connected as they head off for a new school year. A study commissioned by Microsoft Canada looks at how social channels weigh in on student's lives.

The study, commissioned by Microsoft Canada, surveyed Canadian students 18 and older to ask them about their attitudes and concerns as they approach the 2011 back-to-school season.

It revealed that 94 per cent of students say it is important to them to keep in touch with friends and family during the school year. This type of social connectivity ranked higher amongst students than their concern about educational success (90%), budgeting and financing for the school year (92%), safety (51%) and making new friends (57%).

The findings are in keeping with the profile of this generation, according to Dr. Karyn Gordon, a leading North American expert on family and relationships.

“For Gen Y, staying connected with friends is their highest value because it equals security and stability. With nearly 50% of families ending in divorce, many of this generation view their friends as their primary form of stability,” Dr. Gordon said. “In times of transition, such as moving from grade 8 to grade 9 and high school to university, being able to connect to their established base of friends helps students feel more secure, helping them better cope with new experiences.”

Technology takes social connections up a notch with PC-driven experiences such as face-to-face video chat, email, and photos or videos sharing. Familiar technology such as Windows and Windows Live services become empowering tools that allow people to stay connected and build the exceptional relationships students need to help feel secure.

“The same technology students use to get ahead in school can be instrumental in helping students maintain those important connections to friends and family,” said Ben Kaye, Product Manager at Microsoft Canada. “With Windows-based PC, Windows Live and even Windows Phone, students have access to an amazing number of ways to connect and share – whether it’s stories, photos, videos or even assignments – with their friends and family whenever or virtually wherever they are.”

With Windows plus Windows Live, students have the must-have technology for back-to-school success.  Here are Microsoft’s top five tips for students this year:

For more information on how to stay connected and get work done quicker, visit http://www.microsoft.com/canada/windows/ and www.explore.live.com/.   And for easy how-to demos for Windows Live services such as Hotmail, Office Web Apps and Mesh visit http://www.youtube.com/MicrosoftTeamCanada.