Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

Mark Twain made this phrase popular in the United States, originally attributing it to a British Prime Minister. The underlying concept is that there are three types of lies: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics. This post is going to be full of statistics.

The Pew Research Center dedicates resources to studying internet trends through the Pew Internet & American Life Project. They recently published the latest information on Social Media and Young Adults. All of the information in this post comes directly from this report and all credit should go to the Pew Research Center. Here are ten trends that you might find interesting about Social Media:

1. Blogging among young adults is on the decline. In 2007, 24% of online 18-29 year olds reported blogging, compared with 7% of those 30 and over. By 2009, just 15% of internet users ages 18-29 maintain a blog (compared with 11% of those 30 and over).

2. 73% of wired American teens now use social networking websites, up from 65% in 2008.

3. 47% of online adults use social networking sites, up from 37% in 2008.

4. Facebook is currently the most commonly-used online social network among adults. Among all adults with an on-line profile, 73% have one on Facebook (compared to 14% on LinkedIn).

5. Teens are not using Twitter in large numbers. While teens are bigger users of almost all other online applications, Twitter is an exception.

6. The laptop has replaced the desktop as the computer of choice among those under thirty, due to the affection for wireless internet.

7. 81% of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are wireless internet users. By comparison, 63% of 30-49 year olds and 34% of those ages 50 and up access the internet wirelessly.

8. 58% of 12 year-olds now own a cell phone, up from just 18% in 2004.

9. 48% of wired teens have bought things online like books, clothing or music.

10. 31% of online teens get health, dieting or physical fitness information from the internet, and 17% of online teens report they use the internet to gather information about health topics that are hard to discuss with others such as drug use and sexual health topics.

There you have it...10 statistics that you can use to bolster your argument or undercut your opposition. Statistics by their nature are interesting, and hopefully some of these can get you thinking about what your future members are going to expect from you and your association.