Student Use of Digital Media for News Exploding
Http://LeonardSipes.Com
A lot of what we do in government, associations and nonprofits is to concentrate our social media efforts on older audiences. For those interested in older Americans the news is good; they have the highest percentage growth of social media use.
But what about younger audiences; those growing up in a world where social media is second nature? If we want to reach them, how do we do it?
According to the Knight Foundation, a fascinating study reveals:
High school students were using digital media to consume news and information at a rapidly increasing rate during the past five years.
Current numbers:
More than three-quarters of students use social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr at least several times a week to get news and information.
Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of the high school students surveyed say they get news and information from the Internet at least several times per week, up from 31 percent in 2006.
Those using mobile devices such as iPhones and Blackberrys to get news and information at least several times a week have increased from 15 percent in 2006 to 50 percent in 2011.
Highlights:
Seventy-one percent now say they watch videos on websites, such as YouTube and Google Video, at least several times a week, up from 39 percent in 2006.
The vast majority (89 percent) regularly use text messaging.
Slightly more say they blog today compared to five years ago.
When students are asked which digital media technology they use the most, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) say texting, followed by about one-third (32 percent) who say Facebook.
Best, Len.
