Thursday, April 21, 2011

Pew Internet News: Teens and Technology; Upcoming Reports; Politics Online

Teens and technology

Featured presentation: "How Do [They] Even Do That?" Myths and Facts About the Impact of Technology on the Lives of American Teens

This talk explores nine commonly held assumptions about how teens and young adults use technology. By applying nationally representative data, we’ll unpack fact from fiction. Do teens really send that many text messages a day? Is Twitter the next big thing among young adults? Are landlines obsolete?

Using data from surveys and focus groups from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, we will examine the changes in technology use among young people, and look at why it is important that we understand these trends, even if we’re not young adults or parents of them ourselves. View or download the slides on our website.

More recent presentations and commentary

The Internet and the 2010 Midterms | Presentation
Aaron Smith, April 14

This talk examines the key findings from the Pew Internet Project's 2010 post-election survey, including: the changing nature of political news consumption; the growing importance and implications of social media and politics; and the rise of the mobile political user.

Health Surveys 2000-2010 | Survey Information
Susannah Fox, April 6

For many years I have kept a personal archive of every health-related survey question the Pew Internet Project has fielded, dating back to our first health survey in 2000. I have shared it with colleagues and fellow researchers, but realized today that of course I should just post it online.

Peer-to-peer healthcare on NPR | Commentary
Susannah Fox, April 4

Many people – especially those living with chronic or rare diseases – use online connections to supplement professional medical advice.

Future of the Internet

“The internet has certainly changed social relationships, and will continue to do so, but I don't think the change is simply positive or negative. It permits relationships that wouldn't have existed otherwise. It keeps me in constant communication with my sister, my daughter, and a few friends who live far away. It discourages the intricate, intimate neighborhood networks that used to exist and I think we're the worse for that. In general, it's not better or worse, it's different. However, I should say that I wouldn't have missed it for the world.” —Sylvia Allen, Ebisu Staffing

Read more in our latest Future of the Internet report

Pew Internet research in the news

Digital Media Could Make Or Break Presidential Race
NPR, April 20

In Social Media Battle, Republicans Catch Up in Time for 2012
New York Times, April 19

Online photos: Are they the new digital fingerprint?
CNN, April 8

About us

The Pew Internet & American Life Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit "fact tank"that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Pew Internet & American Life Project explores the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and civic/political life. Support for the project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Upcoming reports:

April  » The Social Life of Health Information: 2011  Health professionals continue to be the first choice for most people with health concerns, but online resources, including advice from peers, are a significant source of health information in the U.S. 
 
Indeed, as broadband and mobile access spreads, more people have the ability – and increasingly, the habit – of sharing what they are doing or thinking. In health care this translates to people tracking their workout routines, posting reviews of their treatments, and raising awareness about certain conditions. 
 
These are not yet mainstream activities, but there are pockets of highly-engaged patients and caregivers who are taking an active role in tracking and sharing what they have learned.

Click here to update your profile to receive alerts about new reports »

Presentations calendar:

May 4  »  Mobile Health: What Really Works  Susannah Fox will discuss the Pew Internet Project's latest research about what people are really doing online—how they are gathering, sharing, and creating health information and what it means now that a majority of adults have on-the-go internet access.

Click here to see all upcoming presentations »

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