---
title: "Online participation in the social media era"
description: "Research Specialist Aaron Smith discusses online participation and social media at the 2009 Symposium on Racing and Gaming in Tucson."
date: "2009-12-10"
authors:
  - name: "Aaron Smith"
    job_title: "Director, Data Labs"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/aaron-smith/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2009/12/10/online-participation-in-the-social-media-era/"
categories:
  - "Social Media"
tags:
  - "Social Networking"
  - "Web 2.0"
---

# Online participation in the social media era

Research Specialist Aaron Smith spoke as part of a panel exploring how people use social media on December 10 at the [2009 Symposium on Racing and Gaming](http://ag.arizona.edu/rtip/symposium/2009/symposium_2009_info.html) in Tucson.

http://www.slideshare.net/PewInternet/social-media-making-it-business-relevant

Moderator:

- Mike Tanner — Executive Vice President/CEO, United States Trotting Association

Speakers:

- Dr. Holly Kruse — Assistant Professor, Communication, University of Tulsa
-  [Aaron Smith](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/Experts/Aaron-Smith.aspx) — Research Specialist, Pew Internet & American Life Project