Think about your social media friends and followers. Are most of them of your same race and ethnicity or are your online buddies a multicultural mix? Long touted as a colorblind way to bring people around the globe together, a recent study on social media shows that segregation may exist.
A late 2012 Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project shows that different racial and ethnic groups are attracted to different types of social media.
The survey showed that African-Americans more heavily congregate on Twitter and Instagram than any other ethnic group. After interviewing 1800 respondents by phone between Nov. 4 and Dec. 19, researchers found that only 14 percent of whites use Twitter versus the 26 percent of African-Americans; additionally, 23 percent of African-Americans use Instagram, over 18 percent of Hispanics, and 11 percent of whites.
On the flipside, whites, specifically women, outnumber other ethnic groups when it comes to social media sites like Pinterest and Tumblr.
Business Insider interviewed Wayne Sutton, a social-media consultant, who says Twitter enables "a level playing field in getting (black Americans') voices heard. With the history of our culture, we now have an equal channel like anyone else."
According to Clutch.com, another reason for Blacks’ gravitation toward social networking is the link to increased access through consumerism.
According to a 2012 Nielsen study, Blacks and Hispanics lead the way in the purchase of smartphones and tablets, with 54.4 percent of African-Americans and 57.3 percent of Hispanics owning smartphones versus 44.7 percent of whites.
Although many different notions exist about why there is a racial divide among social networkers, it may come down to an uncomplicated factor.
The purpose of social media is to provide a vehicle for people to hang out with their friends, so those who hang together in real life choose to do the same in the virtual realm.
This article first appeared on RaceReport.com
Comments
Social segregation? Maybe...
I am not quite sold on this article, because I'm not sure that there is a reason for people using different media sites that deals with race. I think that you use a certain media because it lets you connect with friends, family and celebrities you like. I can't really speak on the use of Pinterest or Tumblr because I am not familiar with them, but I don't necessarily think that it has anything to do with my skin color. Also, this study was conducted by 1800 people which is a small sample in my opinion and doesn't specify an area or region. I would argue that different regions would produce different results. also, ages would play a factor. I don't really understand how Twitter provides a "level playing field" compared to something like Instagram or Facebook.
I have to agree. I was
I have to agree. I was skeptical when reading this as well. It would be interesting to see where they pulled their samples from and how socio-economic status would play into this, considering it would be more difficult to use social media if you cannot afford a smartphone that would keep you constantly connected. I would, however, have to agree that people stay most connected with those they would normally interact with in real life, and I think there is where segregation would lie. I would think, just like in any other social realm, people gravitate to those most like them, especially when it comes to race.
With all of todays technology
With all of todays technology it is easy to connect to the internet regardless of your income. Everyone has free wi-fi, even Mcdonalds. I think the people you "follow" and who you are "friends" with does reflect who you spend your time in real life with.
Income and Access
While it is certainly a fact that most of the US is blanketed in a state of connectedness, the truth is that it isn't "easy" for every income level. Even if wireless internet access is free in many places, people still have to have a device to connect. While many of these devices may seem relatively inexpensive, people who struggle with finding food each day aren't likely to have the funds for a 'smart' device.Regarding the article, one of the best pieces of advice I've ever received was, "Assume that inequality and oppression are everywhere, all the time, even when not visible to you." There are so many factors that could lead to the use of one social media service over others, that social inequality must play a role in some way.
I agree with your reaction to
I agree with your reaction to this article. I think it is interesting that people are trying to find racist acts in everything now a days when sometimes, it is not necessary. I think the biggest factor of it, which you commented on, is age. When thinking about the people on Twitter or Pinterest, it is usually college students wanting to find cheap food recipes and pre-teens that want to follow Justin Bieber. It would be interesting to see what age group the researchers had in their sample of 1800 people. I also agree with you not understanding how Twitter provides a "level playing field." Everything people post on Twitter, their statuses and pictures, could also be uploaded on Instagram or Facebook. Another reason this is confusing is because those on Twitter make just as much, if not more, racist comments than they do on other websites. Take when Rue died in "The Hunger Games" movie. A ridiculous amount of racist tweets occurred mentioning how people where glad that the black characters died. Maybe it is just me, but this example and all the other bullying examples that are on the news does not make Twitter seem like a leveled playing field.
Agree
I agree with you that specific sites do not cater more to one race than another, social media in my opinion is based primarily interests and the individual features of the site. Personally I would have no use for Instagram because I do not like documenting my every moment through pictures. I also do not share my every move through 140 character messages. I like Facebook because I can share pictures and updates. I also think that sites like Twitter focus a lot on celebrities and so people who care about them use these sites to follow them.
I don't really agree
I almost feel as though they are reaching for some form of segregation here. Even though the numbers support the argument, these are based on what people are interested in. How can you classify someone on the basis if they are interested in twitter, or tumblr. Honestly it all sounds the same to me. Nothing on here mentions Facbebook, which is the only form of social networking I use. I cannot say that I agree with separating races by which social networking site they prefer. Of course if the media gets wind that so many more Latino people use one site compared to another, they will redirect their appeal to that of what Latinos show to be interested in. So I guess I can see how social media can redesign their site to fit the preferences of a specific group. But I still do not agree with classifying people by what type of social media attracts their attention. Maybe if I was more up to date on twitter, tumblr, pintrest, instagram, reddit, and any other social media you can think of, because there are so many, I would be more inclined to agree. I however prefer not to live my life through a screen. I am sure many people no matter what race, feel the same.
I agree
I completely agree with your statement. It seems as if this article is loosely trying to connect facts that don't correlate to one another. I think it is impossible to compare social media on the basis of race when there are much bigger factors involved. One of these being age. Age more than anything contributes to who is on social media and who's not so in my mind it seems pointless to make connections based on race.
Unsure...
I guess in this particular blog I have mixed views on the material presented. I am at a loss with some of the material because I am not familiar with most of the social media sites referenced. I did have a problem with the comment that Twitter enables a level playing field in having black American voices heard. This in my opinion is asinine, I don't understand how you can say it allows a groups voice to be heard in 140 characters or less. This is not a voice it is a sentence. The only social media I am familiar with is Facebook, I am not like a lot of people I have Facebook to keep me connected to people I actually know and I would estimate that 80% of my friends are Hispanic and black and looking at their profiles the same is true with their friends (proportion maybe a little different). I think that we do segregate (voluntarily or involuntary)on social media sites just as we do in our actual lives.
This is social media, these
This is social media, these media sites are not picking the people who join them, it's the other way around. Most people join to reconnect with people they know or people they might want to get to know. I really don't see how race plays a part in this. I do not use twitter so I do not know how it works, but on facebook there isn't even a place for yoru race. How did they come up with these Statistics?
The last sentence says it all!
It seems to me the author put a whole lot of work into writing the majority of this blog when it could have been written in two or three sentences. There seems to be no new information in this article at all. So we hang out with our friends, the same ones, regardless of whether it is in person or via technology. Big surprise.
I would really like to know
I would really like to know where they got the statistics from. I don't ever recall having to include my race on any of these socail media sights when I signed up for the ones I use.
I wonder if the ratings take
I wonder if the ratings take in to consideration the cost of the new purchases for 2012? Did they do research in to how many whites already had smart phones and tablets and also how the cost had probably dropped by a large margin? I do not purchase new (released) electronics because they are so expensive, but I will buy year old because they are cheaper. I wonder if the study represents that too?
No Connection
I feel as if there is no connection that can be formed from race and the use of social media considering the sample size of the test group. Since there is a large generation gap I think that age group is the most determining factor when it comes to social media not race as the article is trying to suggest.
Debatable
From my experience i have seen an equal amount of blacks and whites on Instagram and Twitter. That may have something to do with where i am from which is why I agree with the comment on how the sample size is a little small and does not specify age, or the area where it was surveyed. Also it is true that people will check the social network that their friend group is mostly on, it is a way to find things out, keep in touch, and express your feelings. But in another sense it could just have to do with whether the person likes reading tweets or looking at pictures better. I know most of my friends are on twitter but I prefer instagram.
100s of Facebook Friends - 100s of Opportunities
I believe that social media allows people to "hang out" with a much larger group of people than just their close friends. Personally, on Facebook I connect with a wide range of people, from classmates, to co-workers, to family members; it is a very racially diverse group of people. Even if my closest friends tend to have the same ethnic background as me, my Facebook friends are very diverse. I think it comes down to the fact that social media provides us with the opportunity to connect with anyone in the world. And I feel that we connect with people for reasons that are not limited to race.
Social Media and Mixed Populations
Social media is a major field of study with recent technological advancements; however I do not think that the evidence provided in this article correctly portrays racial segregation within social media sites. Personally, I am mixed with black and white, and have multiple friends of different races on social media sites. Additionally, I did not choose the friends I have on Facebook based on race, so if there were a racial correlation then it would probably be a coincidence. People have described that many of their friends or followers on social media sites do not actually portray whom they would actually associate with in person. Also, one person can create multiple fake profiles or provide incorrect information themselves, which could affect study results. Overall, many intervening factors could develop a weaker correlation between race and social media.
Not convinced
I agree with several of the comments already posted that there is not enough credible research to back up the claims presented here. I was under the impression that all of the social media outlets like Facebook Instagram and twitter offer a similar type of platform to get together with your friends and connect with people. I always think it's funny that people assume when you put a lot of different races together that they should mix together and not go with what is similar or familiar to them. I think people with similar views, senses of humor, backgrounds etc. enjoy spending time together new matter where that is so thinking in the virtual world we should somehow suddenly mix is not realistic.
I really dont think that's
I really dont think that's how people use their social medias, but racism does exist in social media which is definitely to be avoided.