Mining Pew: Teens, Technology, & Online Privacy

Lenhart, A. (2013, November 7). 9 Things You Need To Know About Teens, Technology & Online Privacy. Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. Retrieved July 30, 2014, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/11/07/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-teens-technology-online-privacy/

1. Teens internet usage is rising and is becoming more mobile.

• 95% of teens use the internet.
• 74% of those teens use mobile technology to access the internet. 
• 37% use smartphones.
• 1 in 4 use cell phones only as a form of accessing the internet

2. Twitter use has increased drastically.

3. What teens post on their profile has increased.

• 91% post a photo
• 71% post school or city name
• 53% post email address
• 20% post cell phone number

4.  60% have their Facebook profile set to private. 64% have their Twitter posts set to public.

5. The average Facebook user has 300 friends. Those with a large group of friends (600+) tend to be friends with teachers, coaches and people they have never met.

6. Lots of time is dedicated to their reputation and maintaing their profiles.

7. Very few pay any attention to advertising on these social media sites.

8. Many parents express concern over safety of social media.

• 81% are concerned about advertisers
• 72% are concerned about strangers
• 70% are concerned their child's behavior will hinder future job and school opportunities
• 69% are concerned about child's reputation

9. 70% of teens are asking others for advice regarding social media privacy.

This study doesn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. We all know that social media and the internet played a huge part in the lives of our teens. It is so important to many to stay connected to friends and family.

Some of the statistics are encouraging. I am glad teens are aware that their privacy settings are very important. They set Facebook profile to private because of the personal information they share. Strangers do not need to know personal details. On the other hand, Twitter profiles are typically public. Twitter is more able conversations than sharing private information like Facebook. Their profiles are public so others can read what they have to say.

Teens don't pay attention to advertising because that is not why they are on those sites. Facebook and Twitter isn't about shopping.

It is comforting to know that our teens are paying attention to privacy and trying to stay safe while relying on social media websites.

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