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Why are social networks so popular? Celebrities?

Why are social networks so popular?

Benny Evangelista, San Francisco Chronicle

Nov 15, 2011 

http://blog.sfgate.com/techchron/2011/11/15/why-are-social-networks-so-popular/

 

“Anyone who’s not using a social network probably wonders what the fuss is all about.But for those who use Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, and that’s more than half of all adult Americans, the answer revealed by a new study released today will come as no surprise at all: social networks let them stay in touch with family members and connect with friends.

The Pew Research Center found that’s the “major reason” given by six of every 10 users of Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. And half of the people surveyed said the ability to reconnect with old friends played a “significant role” in using social networking.

[…]

“For the majority, social networking sites are most important as a way to share and communicate with friends and family who are already key social ties,” Pew senior research specialist Aaron Smith.

“Activities such as meeting potential dating partners or interacting with public figures are much less relevant than deepening bonds with those who are already important.””

 
 Friends, family No. 1 for social media users — not celebritieshttp://www.pewinternet.org/Media-Mentions/2011/Friends-family-No-1-for-social-media-users.aspx

“The most common reason U.S. consumers use social networking sites is to stay in touch with family and friends ― more than to reconnect with old friends and keep tabs on celebrities, a new survey finds.

In a survey for the Pew Internet & American Life Project, nearly two-thirds of social media users reported that staying in touch is a major reason they use these sites. The respondents were allowed to choose more than one major reason, and half of them said connecting with old friends they’d lost touch with is very important, too.

[…]

“Some social networkers view these sites as venues for making new friends and connections,” senior research specialist Aaron Smith, author of the report, said in a statement. “But for the majority, social networking sites are most important as a way to share and communicate with friends and family who are already key social ties.

“Activities such as meeting potential dating partners or interacting with public figures are much less relevant than deepening bonds with those who are already important.””

Original source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45314263/ns/today-today_tech/t/friends-family-no-social-media-users-not-celebrities/#.TsaWQF04edA

Stephen

 

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Posted on: November 20, 2011, 6:58 am Category: Uncategorized

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