Social Networking Websites and US Teens

The Pew Internet and American Life Project has released a report called Social Networking Websites and Teens: An Overview" by Amanda Lenhart and Mary Madden (Jan. 7, 2007). According to the report, more than half (55%) of all online American youths ages 12-17 use online social networking sites.

The survey also finds that older teens, particularly girls, are more likely to use these sites. For girls, social networking sites are primarily places to reinforce pre-existing friendships; for boys, the networks also provide opportunities for flirting and making new friends.

Among the key findings:
• 55% of online teens have created a personal profile online, and 55% have used social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook (or Bebo).
• 66% of teens who have created a profile say that their profile is not visible to all internet users. They limit access to their profiles.
• 48% of teens visit social networking websites daily or more often; 26% visit once a day, 22% visit several times a day.
• Older girls ages 15-17 are more likely to have used social networking sites and created online profiles; 70% of older girls have used an online social network compared with 54% of older boys, and 70% of older girls have created an online profile, while only 57% of older boys have done so.

Download the Social Networking Websites and Teens: An Overview report here>>>