Do you use social media?

Using social media has changed how people communicate, conduct business, find romantic partners, parent their children, consume news, debate politics and make consumer decisions. A whopping 65 percent of all American adults are now using social media, according to a new Pew Research poll.

In the last 10 years, that number has skyrocketed from only 7 percent of the U.S. adult population.

Who’s using social media? Pew says there are no significant differences in gender, race and ethnicity. Age, however, does play a key role in use (ages 18-29, 90 percent; 30-49, 77 percent; 50-64, 51 percent; 65 and older, 35 percent).

People with higher levels of formal education are more likely to use social networking. Also, urban and suburban residents are more likely than rural residents are.

How about you? Do you use social networking? Why or why not? Email connie.post@coxinc.com.

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