It’s 2017. Technology is evolving and so is how we obtain news information. Digital print has taken a lead in how most Americans get information. But the increase in popularity of social media has allowed people to retrieve information faster than ever before. A new survey done by Pew Research Center has said that a majority of U.S. adults, 62%, get news on social media. This has been a 13% increase from the 49% that was previously recorded in 2012. The study was conducted using nine social networking sites: Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, Vine, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Reddit and Facebook came in with the most users at 70% and 60%. The rest is listed as follows:
· Twitter: 59%
· Tumblr: 31%
· Instagram: 23%
· YouTube: 21%
· LinkedIn: 19%
· Snapchat: 17%
· Vine: 14%
So why are more people turning to social media for news information?
Most of us probably have Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram which are constantly notifying us of world news, politics, and other trending topics. We’re in the era of convenience where we want to hear and learn about things fast. Rather than keeping information separate from social media like in the past, news sites are now making accounts on these platforms. This allows them to stay constantly connected with users with just a simple status, instead of writing entire articles. When more people are aware of breaking news instantly, those working to secure locations and ensure the safety of the general public can perform their job duties more efficiently.
Public figures are also taking to social media to keep the public in the loop of current affairs. For example, social media’s influence in this past year’s presidential election is stronger than it has ever been. It has allowed candidates to tap into the ecosystem of voters who are getting information about candidates 24/7. Social media is a candidate’s direct pipeline into mainstream coverage and to voters. Among 18 to 29-year-olds, nearly two-thirds said social media is the most helpful means of learning new things about politics. At the click of a button, people can refresh these accounts and stay up-to-date on the latest news available.
2017 has allowed social media to take the spotlight. Staying in touch with friends and family, was the original purpose for social media. Today, it has been become one of the number one ways of staying in touch with current events and filling up spare time. Stay engaged. More importantly, stay interconnected through all the various outlets to receive news that social media provides.
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Sources:
http://www.govtech.com/social/2016-Presidential-Election-Circus-Is-Social-Media-the-Cause.html
http://www.journalism.org/2017/09/07/news-use-across-social-media-platforms-2017/
