What is one of the first things you do to begin your day?

Chances are, it involves checking, or updating, a social media account.The evolution of sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter has changed the way people interact and the manner in which they get their news, with media outlets large and small churning out content 24 hours a day.The same holds true in the sports world, with reporters often giving real-time updates during events, all in an effort to satisfy the seemingly insatiable appetite of a society that is always searching for a quicker way to get its information.But there was a time, and not that long ago, when getting information in 140 characters or less was not an option. And with the demand for news-on-the-go continuing to expand, it’s not just high profile athletes, celebrities and political figures that are looking for different avenues to stay in touch with the world around them.Perhaps one of the best – and at times worst – ways to use social media presents itself in schools, where administrators are now able to keep students, parents and teachers up-to-date with what is going on throughout the district at the press of a button.“Entering my 14th year, what I used to fight, I needed to embrace and I am thankful I did,” said Northwestern Lehigh Director of Athletics and Student Activities Jason Zimmerman. “I used to consider myself a digital native – someone that is well educated and comfortable with technology – and have quickly become a digital immigrant because technology has advanced so quickly, I needed to constantly train and become familiar with new advances.“My Superintendent (Dr. Mary Anne Wright), about five years ago, challenged our administrative team to start using Facebook and Twitter to meet the ever growing demand for communication. I swore to never use Facebook or Twitter. But never say never. I quickly learned that these tools, if used properly, are excellent ways, and sometimes the only way, to communicate with our student-athletes.”Northwestern, one of many schools that frequently utilizes social media for athletic and academic purposes, has embraced the ability to have instant contact with those in the community.“We live in a world where we demand instantaneous information,” Zimmerman said. “Twitter and Facebook help us provide for our families’ desires and needs because a majority of folks just want the nitty gritty and to not have to sweat reading through a litany of information. Twitter and Facebook give them the meat, and if they want the potatoes, they can dive into more information on our website when they have time.”So far, it’s been a hit.“I think the students really enjoy it,” Kyle Spotts, Director of Student Services and Facilities Planning at Lehighton, said of employing social media sites within the district. “They immediately get all the information that they need by following the accounts the school has set up.”Though the benefits are many, Spotts cautions the sites still present dangers.“Kids need to be constantly reminded that as soon as they put something on social media, anyone can see it and a lot of my off field issues stem from what is put on social media,” he said. “We are constantly reminding students to be careful of what they put on the Internet.“We have a Code of Conduct that outlines some rules and regulations. We ask and stress to the students to be smart as to what they put out there and think twice before posting anything. It is extremely hard to police, but people can simply print what was posted and the evidence speaks for itself most of the time.”For an alternative to the social media trend, some schools have created websites, which feature pertinent data for all sports that will be updated constantly throughout the school year.“We wanted to limit the amount of places people had to look for information,” Northern Lehigh Athletic Director Brian Geist said of the school’s new site, nlsdathletics.org.“If we have any postponements or schedule changes, parents can go right to that site to get the information. We’re also going to be putting real-time updates of games that will appear on the site.”Part of the reason Geist opted for the using the website rather than having multiple social media accounts was to make it easier for people to follow what’s happening within the district.“There are so many different apps now and it’s constantly changing, so we thought having the site would simplify it,” he said.But the bottom line is communication, something all schools are trying to improve.“We are always trying to keep up with everything,” said Spotts. “We are always searching for ways to better use technology and get necessary information out to our stakeholders whether that is students, staff or parents.”