Facebook rules among social media sites for adults

Facebook continues to be the most popular social media network among those aged 18 or more years, according to results of a new survey, although other social media sites are gaining in popularity.

The January report, using data collected via telephone in September by Princeton Survey Research Associates International for a collaboration between the Pew Research Center and the University of Michigan, included a nationally representative sample of 2,003 adults.

Among all adults surveyed, the social media networks trending from most popular to least popular in 2014 were Facebook (58 percent use), LinkedIn (23 percent), Pinterest (22 percent), Instragram (21 percent) and Twitter (19 percent). For two groups of adults, those aged 50 to 64 and those aged 65 or more years, the social media networks trending from most popular to least popular in 2014 were Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter and Instgram.

| Related content: See how these findings compare with those of another recent survey |

Facebook was used by 56 percent of adults aged 65 or more years in 2014, compared with 45 percent in 2013. Among those aged 50 to 64, Facebook was used by 63 percent in 2014 compared with 60 percent the previous year. Facebook membership has not grown much since 2013 except when it comes to older adults, according to the researchers. For the first time in the survey’s history, more than half of all online adults aged 65 or more years who were polled said they use Facebook.

The second most popular social media platform, LinkedIn, was used by 21 percent of those aged 65 or more years in 2014, compared with 13 percent in 2013. It was used by 30 percent of those aged 50 to 64 compared with 24 percent the previous year.

Pinterest was used by 17 percent of those aged 65 or more years in 2014, compared with 9 percent in 2013. Researchers called attention to the increase in use of Pinterest among those aged 50 to 64; in 2014, it was used by 27 percent, compared with 14 percent the previous year.

When it comes to Twitter, 10 percent of adults aged 65 or more used it in 2014 compared with 5 percent the previous year. Researchers term this increase significant. Of those aged 50 to 64, 12 percent used Twitter in 2014 and 9 percent used it in 2013.

Instragram was used by 6 percent of those aged 65 or more in 2014 and by 1 percent of them in 2013. It was used by 11 percent of those aged 50 to 64 in 2014 and by 6 percent of those in this age range the previous year.

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