Fewer young people use social media than you think

Much is being made of so-called “digital natives”, the first generation not to know a world without Google, Wikipedia and Facebook. Numerous examples have popped up in the news, reminding us of just how obsessed we have become with documenting our experiences online. But for a growing minority, the choice to use social media sparingly, if at all, is gaining some momentum, according to a new study by technology-focused investment company Battery Ventures.

Most recently, attention focused on Pope Francis’s visit to the United States, which set the internet alight, mainly due to the vast number of Americans who captured the moment on social media. A comparison of two images, one taken in 2005 and the other in 2013, shows the extent to which we have become reliant on handheld digital devices.

But the image, which went viral online, is also a testament to disinformation: people are sharing stories before doing any research. As the Washington Post pointed out, the 2005 picture was taken at the funeral procession of Pope John Paul II, while the 2013 photo is of the announcement of Pope Francis’s election.

Another image that has made the rounds on social media shows an elderly woman at a recent Black Moss premiere: the only person in a sea of fans not holding a smartphone.

Such images have led many to wonder – ironically enough, via the platform of social media – if any of us live in the moment any more. The Battery Ventures study suggests that there are still those who choose not to spend much, if any, time online. As they explain: “Not all young adults are selfie-stick carrying share-a-holics who only engage via Instagram and Snapchat.”

A small percentage of people between the ages of 20 and 35 (13% of men and 9% of women) say they don’t have a Facebook account. A further 27% say they use the site less than once a week. In addition, 35% of men and 43% of women don’t have a Twitter account, and of those who do, only 29% say they use it more than once a week. Newer platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest report even fewer members of the millennial generation logging in.

Reasons for the shift away from digital are varied, ranging from concerns about the security of personal information to a simple lack of interest. The rise of other platforms such as What’s App (chat), Tindr (dating) or Spotify (music) were not included in the report.

The US survey was conducted using a sample of 1,253 adults, aged 20-35, interviewed online.

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Author: Donald Armbrecht is a freelance writer and social media producer.

Image: Crowds outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York. REUTERS/Damon Winter/New York Times