Three Pew Research Reports Analyzing Messaging Use

By Ben Gross
in

Three recent reports Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project analyze current topics related to messaging. Pew reports are noteworthy for the size of their samples and the rigor they apply to both the data collection process and the analysis. Their surveys are conducted using random digit dialing and include both landline and cellular numbers in the United States.

The report Teens and Distracted Driving analyses the prevalence of text messaging and cell phone use by teenage drivers and teen passengers. Three quarters of American teenagers own a cell phone. Approximately one third of these have texted while driving, half have been a passenger while the driver was texting, and forty percent say they have been in the car while the driver was distracted enough by talking on the cell phone to put them in danger. The population for this report included 800 teens between the ages of 12 and 17 years old along with a parent or guardian.

Pew’s report on Social Isolation and New Technology takes a fresh look on early research computer mediated communication and social isolation. Contrary to previously well-publicized studies, Pew researchers found that American’s are not nearly as isolated as previously reported. They also find that online participation and social media often improve people’s civic participation and that cell phone users have larger core social networks. The population for this report included a representative national sample of more than 2500 adults.

The Twitter and Status Updating, Fall 2009 report found that 19% percent of US adults use Twitter or another service that allows status updates. This is a rapid increase from late 2008 and early 2009 surveys that found 11% use. Mobile phones owners are more likely to use status update services and social networks that those without. Individuals with multiple Internet connected devices use Twitter at a much greater rate. Only 10% of users with a single device use Twitter, while 40% with four or more devices do. The population for this report more than 2200 adults.

Published November 30, 2009