Social Media & Young Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for STD Prevention

Amanda Lenhart

Pew Internet Project

National STD Prevention Conference

CDC

March 9, 2010

SNS, Youth & Health Feb 2010

Methodology

Two telephone surveys both completed in September 2009:– 800 Teens 12-17 and a parent or guardian – RDD w/

cell phone sample– 2253 American adults 18 and older – RDD with cell

phone sample & Spanish language interviewing

• Adult data from December 2009 survey of 18+, also w/ cellphone and Spanish interviews and January 2010 adult survey w/ oversample of 18-29, cellphones

• 9 focus groups with teens 12-18 in 4 cities in June & October 2009

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More Millennials are cell-only

21%

41%

24%

13%

5%

% who have a cell phone but do not have a landline phone at home.Based on all adults.

All adults Millennials Gen X Boomers Silent

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Texting

• 66% of all teens use text messaging

• 59 % of all adults text

• 88% of 18-29 text

• 10 = median number of texts sent by adults in past 24 hrs.

• 20 = median number of texts sent in past 24 hrs by 18-29 year olds. Teens much higher.

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Gaming

• 97% of all teens play video games of some kind

• 53% of all adults 18 and older play video games

• 8% of teens use virtual worlds

• 4% of adults use virtual worlds

More Millennials connected On the Go

41%

62%

48%

35%

11%

% who connect to the internet wirelessly using a laptop or hand-held whenaway from home or work. Based on all adults.

All adults Millennials Gen X Boomers Silent

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Adults & Wireless Internet

• 55% of 18-29s go online on a cell phone | 30% of adults 30+ do

• 28% of 18-29s go online from a device other than cell phone or laptop | 10% of adults 30+ do, too.

• African-American adults more likely to go online via a cell phone than English-speaking Hispanic or whites.

Online social network sites

What is Twitter?

Twitter

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Video : Viewing and Sharing

• 52% of online adults watch videos online

• 72% of 18-29s watch videos online

• 20% of 18-29 have posted a video of themselves online

• 7% of all adults 18 and older have posted a video of themselves

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Sending Sexts

• No difference by gender

• Oldest teens most likely to have sent– 8% of 17 year olds– 4% of 12 year olds

• 17% who pay for all the costs of the phone send sexts vs. 3% of others

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Receiving Sexts

• Again, no gender differences and increases by age– 4% of 12 year olds– 20% of 16 year olds– 30% of 17 year olds

• Sending texts, having unlimited texting plan increases receipt

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Sexting Scenarios

1. Between two romantic partners, as a part of, instead of, or as a prelude to sex – never leaves couple

2. Between two romantic partners – but shared with others

3. Between two people where at least one would like to be in a relationship – shows interest

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What you need to know

• Need to know who uses a technology & how they use it before you can figure out how to use to reach folks w/ your message

• Technology is constantly changing, as is access to it

• Not all technology is a “push” technology. Opt-in is your friend

Thanks!

Amanda LenhartPew Internet & American Life Projecthttp://www.pewinternet.orgalenhart@pewinternet.org@amanda_lenhart (Twitter)

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Resources

• Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change http://pewresearch.org/millennials/

• Social Media and Young Adults http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Social-Media-and-Young-Adults.aspx

• Teens & Sexting http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Teens-and-Sexting.aspx

• Teens and Mobile Phones 2004-2009 http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/14--Teens-and-Mobile-Phones-Data-Memo.aspx

• Wireless Internet Use http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/12-Wireless-Internet-Use.aspx