Nearly half of adults (47%) have profiles on social networking sites, up from 37% in 2008, according to Pew Internet & American Life Project. Of those who use social networking sites, Facebook (73%) is by far the most popular, followed by MySpace (48%) and LinkedIn (14%). Most adults who use social networks (52%) maintain multiple profiles, up from 42%.
Younger adults aged 18-29 (72%) have profiles on social networking sites, compared to 42% of those aged 30 and older. Their use of such sites has grown while their interest in blogging has waned. One in six 18-29 year olds (15%) blog in 2009, down from 24% in 2007. Meanwhile, 11% of those aged 30 and older blog, up from 7% over the same period.
Young adults’ interest in blogging may have been usurped by their interest in Twitter. A third use the site to read or post status updates, compared to about two in 10 adults overall. Those who use the site are:
• 37% of 18-24 year olds;
• 25% of 25-29 year olds;
• 22% of 30-49 year olds;
• 9% of 50-64 year olds; and
• 4% of those aged 65 and older. [Social Networking, Online]
Source: “Social Media & Mobile Internet Use Among Teens And Young Adults,” Pew Internet & American Life Project, John Horrigan, Associate Director Research, 1615 L St. NW, #700, Washington, DC 20036; 212-419-4500; jhorrigan@pewinternet.org; www.pewinternet.org. Price: Available online at no charge.
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