The other night the three of us still at home were talking face-to-face with our son and brother 1,000 miles away for about an hour, for free (well, not counting the cost of our family Internet connection). While enjoying the banter, I was wondering at this ability we had to look into each other's eyes across great distances on computer screens. Only the ability to hug would be better. But having … [Read more...] about Growing signs social media are good for us
social media research
Young Americans want phones more than cars?!
Wow, remember the film American Grafitti? It's ancient history more than ever now. Gartner research found that 46% of Americans 18-24 "prefer access to the Internet over access to their own car, and that teens drive less overall today than they did in past generations," Forbes reports, "highlighting the impact of technology on kids and the auto industry’s future challenges." Not a huge surprise, … [Read more...] about Young Americans want phones more than cars?!
Snapshot of a changing (global) social networking scene
It's good that ReadWriteWeb's bookmarking "Where in the World People Do Not Use Facebook," because social-networking practices are certainly in motion around the world. Another headline, in the Washington Post, reads: "Facebook increases dominance in non-English-speaking countries." So let's start with the interesting cultural notes in the ReadWriteWeb piece, near the top of which are a couple of … [Read more...] about Snapshot of a changing (global) social networking scene
Teens’ social media experiences largely positive: Study
Social media spaces are positive spaces for the most part, Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Internet Project reported at the annual Family Online Safety Institute conference today. "People in social network sites are generally kind," she told the audience as she shared the findings of a Pew report released today, adding that the vast majority of teen social networkers said that a friendship had been … [Read more...] about Teens’ social media experiences largely positive: Study
Growth in all facets of US mobile use
For US mobile phone users 13+, usage went up just over the past summer in all categories comScore measures. The categories are sending texts (71.1%, up 1.5%), using a browser (42.9%, up 2.8%), downloading apps (39.5%, up 3%), accessing a social network site or blog (29.1%, up 2.4%), playing games (26.9%, up 1.9%), and listening to music (19%, up 1.9%). So even in the US, where most Internet users … [Read more...] about Growth in all facets of US mobile use