06 August 2009

Social networking sites growing up?

Research by media regulator Ofcom reveals the first recorded drop in the number of 15 to 24 year olds using websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter since the social networking phenomenon began. Conversely, the research showed a steadily increasing number of 25 to 34 year olds signing up for accounts as social networking becomes increasingly a part of day-to-day life.

The percentage of 15 to 24 year olds regularly checking their updates on social networking sites has dropped from 55 per cent at the start of 2008 to only 50 per cent in 2009. In that same period, the proportion of 25 to 34 year olds rose from 40 to 46 per cent, as a generation of web-savvy adults increasingly embraces the means to getting back in touch with old school friends, work colleagues and estranged family members.

According to the Guardian, Ofcom's head of strategy Peter Phillips points out: "There is nothing to suggest overall usage of the internet among 15-to-24-year-olds is going down."

However, Mr Philips also confirms that data suggests they are spending less time on social networking sites.

The findings indicate an overall trend of an increased amount of time spent on social networking sites by British adults. 30 per cent of adults now have a social networking profile, compared to 21 per cent in 2007 when research began. Half of the UK's online population is signed up to Facebook, and spends an average of almost six hours per month checking the site, compared to four hours in May 2008.

However, Ofcom's research also reveals that the sites Facebook and MySpace are still incredibly popular with internet users under 16 years of age, indicating that the social networking phenomenon is still riding high as the global internet audience continues to grow.

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