PEW Report: Social Networking Websites and Teens: An Overview
Dr. Kardasz: The following report from the researchers at PEW provides interesting information regarding the use of social networking sites by teens. The report does not measure the use of social networking sites by Internet sexual predators but mounting qualitative data indicates that predators also frequent the sites in search of victims.
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Social Networking Websites and Teens: An Overview
PEW / Internet & American Life Project, Reports Family, Friends & Community
01/07/07 by Amanda Lenhart, Mary Madden
A social networking site is an online place where a user can create a profile and build a personal network that connects him or her to other users. In the past five years, such sites have rocketed from a niche activity into a phenomenon that engages tens of millions of internet users. More than half (55%) of all online American youths ages 12-17 use online social networking sites, according to a new national survey of teenagers conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
The survey also finds that older teens, particularly girls, are more likely to use these sites. For girls, social networking sites are primarily places to reinforce pre-existing friendships; for boys, the networks also provide opportunities for flirting and making new friends.
Retrieved January 11, 2007 from http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/198/report_display.asp