The increase in use of social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and MySpace has prompted a lot of questions about people and their relationships. Are these sites isolating people and making them less social? Are there benefits to being connected with people through a computer?
The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project conducted a survey to explore people’s overall social networks and how the use of these technologies is related to their social behaviors.
Here are their findings:
The number of those using social networking sites has nearly doubled since 2008 and the population of SNS users has gotten older.
Well, this makes sense. My parents have recently signed up for Facebook after hearing about its social benefits, and I’m sure my nana is next on the list. Facebook is quickly shifting into a way for adults to find each other and keep in touch. They can share photos with family members, connect to businesses and keep an eye on their children and/or grandchildren.
Facebook users have more close relationships and get more social support than other people.
A user that goes on Facebook several times a day usually scored higher in total support, emotional support and companionship. Perhaps Facebook users find it easier to reach out to their friends? Or maybe personal status updates make it easier for friends to help each other out? Either way, the survey saw a noticeable increase in total support for these users.
Facebook users are much more politically engaged than most people.
A Facebook user who uses the site multiple times a day was two and half times more likely to attend a political rally or meeting, 57% more likely to persuade someone on their vote, and an additional 43% more likely to have said they would vote.
I have two theories for this one. The first is that Facebook started off as a college social networking site. Because of this, most users are more educated, and educated people are more politically involved. The other theory is that Facebook has become a huge asset for politicians. They can create fan pages, spread information about their platforms, and educate the people that support them.
Facebook revives dormant relationships.
Only 7% of people’s Facebook friends were people they had never met before. Which means that people are using Facebook to stay connected to people they know.
I don’t know about you, but I add a crazy amount of people I know on Facebook. I am friends with someone I met in fifth grade. I am also friends with my high school anatomy teacher. If I ever need a recommendation or have a question about school, I can reconnect with my teacher. And let’s say my acquaintance from the fifth grade turns out to be the owner of a successful home landscaping company. If I ever need my house landscaped, I’ll know who to call.
These findings are certainly interesting, but they’re useful, too. For example, if you were creating a Facebook plan for your company and knew that your target audience was older and primarily female, how would that affect your approach?
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project website has a more in-depth look at social media sites and everything you might want to know about the people using them from demographics to uses. Check it out here.
