Adults and social network websites

Thus far most SNS research, particularly regarding privacy and surveillance, focuses on teens and university students. This report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, based on two surveys of 2,253 adult Americans, provides a valuable look at privacy attitudes and behaviours among adult SNS users. In the areas where age groups were compared, the report suggests that privacy attitudes among teens and adults are drastically divergent. However, younger people are still far more likely to have an SNS profile than their older counterparts. Specifically, the survey found that “most, but not all adult SNS users are privacy conscious” (2). While adults are generally more aware than teens of potential privacy threats on SNS from other people (such as being found or identified), the difference between the two groups is rather small. Indeed, teens were actually more likely than adults to believe that with enough work, a stranger could identify them from their SNS profile. The report also provides a valuable look at the uptake of SNS among adults, the use of multiple profiles, the purpose of use (social or professional) and the age-based SNS preferences.

Bibliographic information:

Lenhart, A. (2009). Adults and social network websites. Retrieved from      http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Adults-and-Social-Network-Websites.aspx

If you’re interested in downloading Kate Raynes-Goldie’s full annotated bibliography about Digitally mediated surveillance, privacy and social network sites, click here.

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