Why we use Social Media
Two-thirds of online adults now use social media, and mainly to connect with family and friends. Few use these platforms to flirt or find new friends, a survey has found.
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What’s the Latest Development?
A telephone survey of 2277 adult Americans found that staying in touch with family members is a major factor across a range of social media users, but it’s especially important to women. Staying in touch with current friends and reconnecting with old friends is the main motivation for those under 50.
What’s the Big Idea?
Finding potential dating partners is a minor element of the social media experience. Connecting with public figures online is relatively popular among Twitter users, as well as African Americans and Latinos. One in ten Twitter users (11%) say that reading comments by politicians, celebrities or athletes is a major reason they use online social networks.
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