Social Media

fact sheetOct 19, 2026

An image of someone using a smartphone with icons

Today YouTube and Facebook are the most-widely used online platforms. Explore the demographic patterns and trends shaping the social media landscape.

reportOct 7, 2026

Image depicts multiple phone screens, each with health influencer content

Just over half of health and wellness content on social media focuses on healthy living, while about a third discusses medical topics. And 38% of posts have a product or service promotion.

reportOct 14, 2026

Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults are in an online community. These virtual third spaces can take many forms, like Facebook groups, online video games or fandom forums on Reddit.

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presentationJan 24, 2012

Peer-to-peer Healthcare and the C3N Project

Susannah Fox presented Pew Internet’s latest research on mobile, social networks, teens, and health.
presentationJan 12, 2012

The Rise of the e-Patient

Director Lee Rainie presented to physicians, administrators, and staff at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California on January 12 on understanding social networking and online health information seeking.
reportDec 23, 2011

The civic and community engagement of religiously active Americans

Those who are active in church, religious, or spiritual organizations are often more deeply involved in their communities than those who are not members of such groups.
short readsDec 22, 2011

Using Social Media to Keep in Touch

Roughly two-thirds (67%) of social media users say that staying in touch with current friends and family members is a major reason they use these social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or LinkedIn.
reportDec 21, 2011

The Year in News 2011

What stories and which people generated the most news coverage in 2011? PEJ’s annual Year in the News report offers answers. The Year in News 2011 Interactive allows users to explore the data for themselves.
reportDec 20, 2011

Global Digital Communication: Texting, Social Networking Popular Worldwide

Cell phones are owned by large majorities of people in major countries around the world, and they are used for much more than just phone calls. In particular, texting is widespread in both wealthy nations and the developing world. Social networking is also popular in many nations around the globe.
short readsDec 16, 2011

Twitter and the Campaign: Its Coverage of Ron Paul

Between May 2 and Nov. 27 of this year, there were more than 1.1 million postings on Twitter about Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul. He received far more discussion on social media than in the traditional news outlets.
reportDec 14, 2011

Where People Get Information about Restaurants and Local Businesses

The internet is the source that people most rely on for material about the local business scene and search engines are particularly valued.
presentationDec 14, 2011

State of Social Media: 2011

Senior Research Specialist Mary Madden will present the Project’s latest research on social media adoption.
reportNov 15, 2011

Why Americans use social media

Social networking sites are appealing as a way to maintain contact with close ties and reconnect with old friends.

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Americans’ Use of Social Media in 2026

What Do Health and Wellness Influencers Post About?

Online Community and Connection in America

Using Social Media to Keep in Touch

Twitter and the Campaign: Its Coverage of Ron Paul

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