Among the numerous possibilities the internet provides, Facebook is the number one platform for parents, beating out all other options by a land slide. It’s not just teenagers and young adults that find social media useful, but parents are now reportedly resorting to the internet in search for advice, support or just entertainment.
According to the survey which polled over 2,000 people, around 75% of parents log in daily into their Facebook accounts to check the News Feed. The numbers differ a bit between men and women, with 45% of mothers claiming to turn to social media for parenting advice or information, while only 22% of fathers reported to do the same.
Parents do not only ask questions and reach out for support, the study has also shown that they are just as likely to advise and answer questions themselves. They have shown a clear engagement in good news from their friends and family posts, with 88% for moms and 71% of fathers reportedly “liking” positive statuses of others.
Parents have moved on from the limiting the use of Facebook to sharing pictures of their children in adorable outfits or boasting their achievements. They now engage in conversations surrounding a good number of topics and have shown to be more likely to answer any types of questions.
The average number of friends parents have on their list is of 150, with 1/3 being actual, real world friends. Adults of the same age who are not parents (defined in this study as people with children under the age of 18), have on average a number of 200 Facebook friends, among which only 1/4 are also more than acquaintances in “real life”.
This shows that parents are usually more involved in events of people around them, such as family, neighbors, co-workers or old classmates. The socializing tends to extend mostly to people they have met in real life, and not as much to strangers.
The study makes it clear that social media is gaining more influence in the lives of both men and women, of all ages and social standing, with different uses found by various groups of people.
Image source: her.yourstory.com
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