More Older Adults Using Social Networking
8 August 2013 at 10:57 am
The number of older adults using social networking sites has tripled in the last four years, according to new research by the US Not for Profit Pew Research Centre.
The latest report from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project says 72% of online adults use social networking sites. Back in 2005, just 8% of online adults said they used social networking sites.
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“Although younger adults continue to be the most likely social media users, one of the more striking stories about the social networking population has been the growth among older internet users in recent years,” the report said.
“Those aged 65 and older have roughly tripled their presence on social networking sites in the last four years-from 13% in the spring of 2009 to 43% in 2013.”
The report also studied online adults’ use of Twitter.
It said the percentage of internet users who are on Twitter has more than doubled since November 2010, currently standing at 18%. Internet users ages 18-29 are the most likely to use Twitter-30% of them now do so.
The report is based on data from telephone interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from April 17 to May 19, 2013, among a sample of 2,252 adults, age 18 and older.
Support for the Pew Internet Project which began in 2005 is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
