Enter The Net

Over the years, I have often referred to results of studies conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Research group. I am fascinated by the social and cultural impact of the internet on our lives. I guess that’s what I get for being a relatively older internet geek. I actually remember life before it existed!

Pew recently invited me to take a survey asking about my predictions for the internet and our lives over the next ten years. I had fun answering the questions and pondering the ideas that are currently being tossed around.

The survey is open for anyone who has a stake in the internet. Click the link below and use PIN 1000 to add your two cents. The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete.

http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p1075078513.aspx

Source: Pew Internet and American Life Research

People who use modern information and communication technologies have larger and more diverse social networks, according to new national survey findings that for the first time explore how people use the internet and mobile phones to interact with key family and friends.

These new finding challenge fears that use of new technologies has contributed to a long-term increase in social isolation in the United States.

The new findings show that, on average, the size of people’s discussion networks–those with whom people discuss important matters–is 12% larger amongst mobile phone users, 9% larger for those who share photos online, and 9% bigger for those who use instant messaging. The diversity of people’s core networks–their closest and most significant confidants–tends to be 25% larger for mobile phone users, 15% larger for basic internet users, and even larger for frequent internet users, those who use instant messaging, and those who share digital photos online.

“All the evidence points in one direction,” said Prof. Keith Hampton, lead author of the report. “People’s social worlds are enhanced by new communication technologies. It is a mistake to believe that internet use and mobile phones plunge people into a spiral of isolation.”

Read the full report. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/18–Social-Isolation-and-New-Technology.aspx

Please leave your comments and thoughts below…

A recent study published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project suggests that the growth in adult use of social networking sites is even more staggering than most think.

A December 2008 tracking survey found that 35% of adults now have some sort of online profile on a social networking site, up from 8% in 2005.

Around 65% of teenagers use social networking sites, but the 35% of adults account for many more users because adults are a much bigger segment of the population than teens.

The percentage of adults aged 18-24 with social networking profiles is 75.

Here is the whole breakdown:

• 75% of online adults 18-24 have a profile on a social network site
• 57% of online adults 25-34 have a profile on a social network
• 30% of online adults 35-44 have one
• 19% of online 45 to 54 year olds have a profile
• 10% of online 55 to 64 year olds have a profile
• 7% of online adults 65 and older have a profile

Adults using social networking sites far prefer Facebook to all other sites.

• 73% have a Facebook account
• 48% have a MySpace profile
• 14% have an account on LinkedIn
• 1% each are on Yahoo, YouTube, Tagged, Flickr and Classmates.com
• 10-12% are on “other” sites such as Bebo, Last.FM, Digg, Blackplanet, Orkut, Hi5 and Match.com

Most are still using social networking sites for personal reasons (89%.)

To read the full report, click to:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Adults-and-Social-Network-Websites.aspx

Women outnumber men using social networking sites 50% to 42%.

See more about that study here:
http://pewinternet.org/Media-Mentions/2009/Women-Outnumber-Men-on-Social-Networking-Sites.aspx

How do you use social networking sites? Do you see a business use for them? Please leave ANY comments you like in the space below…

(posted on October 14, 2009)

Posted from Pew Internet Research

The Internet and the Recession
By Lee Rainie, Aaron Smith
July 15, 2009

88% of online Americans have used the internet in the past year for help in coping with the recession and understanding it

Their top searches relate to consumer bargains, new jobs, skills upgrading, chances to earn extra cash, and general news about the economy

Some 69% of all American adults — fully 88% of internet users — have gone online to get help with personal economic issues that have arisen in the recession and to gather information about the origins and solutions to national economic problems.

The internet ranks high among sources of information and advice that people are seeking during hard times, especially when it comes to their personal finances and jobs. Among broadband users, the internet is the top source for material on personal coping strategies during the recession. At the same time, broadcast media outpace the internet as sources of news about national economic affairs.

Those hard hit by the recession are among the most avid and wide-ranging internet users for advice and understanding. Some 52% of American adults have either lost their jobs, seen their investments fall by more than half their value, suffered a pay cut, watched their house lose half its value, or lost their job outright during the downturn in the past year.

“Internet users are on a dual quest in this recession” said Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, and co-author of a new report based on a nationwide phone survey about internet use during the recession. “They are seeking highly practical advice about how to survive. And they are going online to gain understanding of what went wrong, and what policies might fix the economy. In many cases, the internet is also a pathway to contributing ideas – and rants – about hard times and a source of expert commentary.”

Read the full report: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/11-The-Internet-and-the-Recession.aspx
How have you used the internet to help during this recession?

How could your business capitalize on this trend?

Please leave comments below.