social media: why it matters for children's mental health
Post on 06-May-2015
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WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
Brittany SmithDirector of Community Management
What is Social Media?
Any online platform or channel for publishing and disseminating user-generated content.1
Social media allows us to engage with and empower our communities. Connection Access to
information1. http://heidicohen.com/social-media-definition/
Take it seriously!
Social media is widespread. In the U.S., social
networks and blogs reach nearly 80% of Internet users and represents the majority of Americans’ time online. 1
Half of all American adults are using social networking sites. 2
1. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/social/2. http://www.pewinternet.org/Media-Mentions/2011/Half-of-American-adults-use-
Facebook- other-social-networks3. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Teens-and-social-media
95% of all teens ages 12-17 are online and 80% of those teens use social media. 3
It’s About Relationships
Connections with family and friends is the primary reason. 2/3 say staying in
touch is a major reason they use these sites.1
Most online adults describe their experiences using social media in positive terms.21. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Why-Americans-Use-Social-Media
2. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites
Positive Benefits
The average user has more close ties and is ½ as likely to be socially isolated.1
Young adults who spend more time on Facebook are better at showing “virtual empathy.”2
People report higher self-esteem after spending time on Facebook.3
Facebook users are more trusting, have more social support, and are much more politically engaged.4
1. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Technology-and-social-networks2. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/facebook3. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/02/friends4. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Technology-and-social-networks
Why the negative assumptions? “Moral panic is a
common reaction to new forms of communication.”1
Fears: Less face-to-face
time Cyberbullying Isolation Dangerous people Less community
engagement
Before you knock it, give it a try. Pay attention to
what you experience.
Do you feel more or less connected?
Share it with me!
1. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01474.x/full
Digital Divide
Age, lack of a high school education, and low household income are the strongest negative predictors of internet usage. 1
No major differences in social media usage based on gender, race, or household income.2
1. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences
2. Ibid
There are currently 901 million active users on Facebook.1
Facebook reaches almost 57% of the U.S. population.2
The majority of Facebook users are female.3
1. http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=222. http://socialmediatoday.com/paulkiser/199133/social-media-3q-update-who-uses-facebook-twitter-
linkedin-myspace3. http://mashable.com/2012/03/09/social-media-demographics/4. http://socialmediatoday.com/paulkiser/285851/who-uses-facebook-twitter-linkedin-myspace-4thq-
1stq-stats-and-analysis
The fastest growing group of Facebook users are over 65 years old.4
Twitter has nearly 200 million users.1
The average user is 39 years old.2
More than ¼ of online African-Americans (28%) use Twitter, 13% do so on a typical day.3
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-128890482. http://www.flowtown.com/blog/older-people-flocking-to-social-
networks3. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Twitter-Use-2012/
Findings.aspx 4. Ibid
Nearly 15% of U.S. adults who are online use Twitter.4
LinkedIn has over 120 million users.1
The average user age is 44 years old.2
92% of journalists have a LinkedIn account because it helps them easily connect with sources.3
59% of users are male.4
1. http://www.linkedin.com/ 2. http://www.flowtown.com/blog/older-people-flocking-to-social-networks 3. 2011 Arketi Web Watch Media Survey, http://www.arketi.com/survey.html4. http://www.socialnomics.net/2011/03/28/linkedin-hits-100-million-breakdown-by-
country-graphic/
YouTube
Nearly half of YouTube users are 25-44 years old.1
Rural Internet users are now just as likely as users in urban and suburban areas to have used online video-sharing websites like YouTube.1
Non-white adult Internet users have higher rates of using video-sharing sites.3
1. Ignite Social Media, 2011 Social Network Analysis Report. http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/social-media-stats/2011-social-network-analysis-report/
2. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Video-sharing-sites/Report3. Ibid
Bringing it together.
Social media will allow you to better meet the needs of those you serve. Connection Empowerment Transparency Accountability
Meet them where they’re at.
Goals: Position yourself
as a resource and support.
Encourage them to connect positively with others.
Provide accurate information.
Next Steps
Do some research.
Get online and play. Pay attention to
what you experience.
Share the knowledge!
Connect with me on social media.
Register for next month’s webinar.
@ebkcd2linkedin.com/in/ebkcd2facebook.com/ebkcd2brittany@cmhnetwork.org
@CMHNetworkfacebook.com/CMHNetwork
Contact Me
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