Aaron Smith

The growth of social media and the rapid adoption of internet-enabled mobile devices have changed the way Americans engage in the political process.

61% of Facebook users have taken a voluntary break from using the site at one time or another and 27% plan to spend less time on the site this coming year. Even so, two-thirds of online adults are now Facebook users.

58% of cell owners used their phones for recommendations, reviews, or price comparisons in a physical store this holiday shopping season. Young adults and smartphone owners lead the way.

Mobile phone owners like the convenience and ease of connectivity, but rue that they can be interrupted more easily, have to pay the bills, and face bad connections.

55% of registered voters have watched political videos online this election season, and 52% have had others recommend political videos for them to watch online

10% of 2012 presidential campaign donors have contributed via text message or cell phone app.

66% of social media users have employed the platforms for at least one of eight civic or political activities with social media

Registered voters on both sides of the political spectrum are using their cell phones to get campaign news, share their views about the candidates and interact with others about political issues

Aaron Smith will share the Pew Internet Project’s most recent data on the constantly shifting digital ecosystem in the U.S. and highlight some major trends that have emerged since the project’s inception in 1999.

More than half of app users have uninstalled or avoided an app due to concerns about personal information