Most Web-Connected Americans Use Social Networking, Study Says
Investigating the Impact of Technology on Americans
According to a new study, nearly 2 in every 3 adult Internet users are now using some form of social networking platform--be it Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or one of many other, similar sites.
The study comes to us from the Pew Research Center, a frequent investigator of technology's impact on "families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life."
Pew's research shows that approximately 65 per cent of all adult Internet users are now involved in social networking, an increase of 4 per cent over 2010. Interestingly, the study narrowed down the age group that saw the most growth to the 50-64 bracket. While social networking usage amongst Internet users under age 30 stayed about the same as 2010, 60 per cent more web surfers between the age of 50 and 64 used sites like Facebook and Twitter than last year.
In total, the percentage of 50-64 year-olds who reported using social networking sites increased from 20 per cent to 32 per cent.
Mary Madden, co-author of the Pew study, says that both seniors and Baby Boomers are more likely than ever before to join these kinds of websites. "The graying of social networking sites continues...While seniors are testing the waters, many Baby Boomers are beginning to make a trip to the social media pool part of their daily routine."
Generally speaking, it also seems most Americans are enjoying their social networking experiences. When asked for one word that could capture their time on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the like, most answered "good".
Pew says that, overall, most people reported having beneficial experiences using these sites. Other popular terms describing social networking included "fun," "great," "empowering," and "convenient," suggesting that more and more Americans believe these kinds of sites can not only entertain, but also make life easier.
Of course, just because older Americans are using these sites doesn't mean they're taking them over. With their total usage pegged at 83 per cent, users aged 18 to 29 dominate sites like Facebook, while seniors remain the least likely age group to establish new accounts.
Finally, it's also worth noting that the 65 per cent of Internet users who say they use social networking sites don't necessarily visit every day. Instead, that number is actually 43 per cent -- that's still a significant total, and given the steady growth of social networking usage it's likely that well over half of Americans will be regularly using these sites in the next few years.
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