The PEW Internet and American Life Project has released another report on Teens and Social Media. The report released just a few days ago is based on data collected in 2006 and allows comparisons with similar surveys from 2004 and 2000.The report indicates:
- 93% of adolescents report using the Internet (hence the data reported on “Internet users” need be adjusted downward only a bit to reflect general adolescent use)
- 64% of 12-17 year olds participate in at least one content-creation activity
- 39% share artistic creations (including photos)
- 28% have created a blog
- 27% maintain a personal web page
- 55% have a profile on a social networking site (mostly MySpace)
In general, participation has increased since 2004 (see chart)
One of the points the authors argue is that content creation is often a way to start conversations. Teens report a high proportion of their media receive comments.With the exception of video, girls are more likely to produce content (e.g., 35% vs. 20% for blogs).There is some evidence of an awareness of safety issues. For example, uploaded photos are offered to only some potential observers (restricted access) most or some of the time (77%).
There are data on contact with strangers in a separate document describing the survey and offering question by question data. If PEW keeps to past practices, there will be a later report on online safety.
I found some of the data in available in the description of the questionnaire to be of interest. Here are a couple of items not included in the report.
Location of access:
I find this variable of interest partly in reaction to filtering that often occurs in schools. If students access from locations outside of schools, it might be argued that filtering access within schools ignores issues students are likely to encounter elsewhere.
Access at any time:
- 89% from home
- 75% from school
- 70% from home of friend or relative
- 50% from library
It seems strange that 25% claim not to access the Internet at school (this % has increased since 2004 – school is less likely to be an access point).
Location of most frequent access:
- 77% from home
- 18% from school
I wish someone was doing general studies of school technology use like Becker did a decade ago. The PEW data are very general and leave many of my questions unanswered.Issues raised the data cannot answer:Very little really provided about educational use.
- Was access from school related to a class assignment or is it more likely the school provides access used to meet nonacademic needs?
- How frequently was access from home related to a school task?
- What proportion of the content creation was related to school assignments/activities?
It is reported that blog activity is quite common.
- What is the post frequency?
- How frequently is blog activity located within a social networking site.
- What topics do adolescents address in their blogs?
Lenhart, Amanda, Mary Madden, Alexandra Rankin Macgill, and Aaron Smith. “Teens and Social Media.” PEW Internet & American Life Project.
