Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Introduction

CAMRI Symposium

Tim Riley

University of Westminster

Research title

Social Media:

Digital Content Creation and Sharing

A study of three age groups

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Summary

This research investigates how three age groups of people use social media to create and share digital content.

Primary research question:How do three age groups of UK adult web users create and

share content online?

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Content Creation in Context

Content creation in the context of this project is defined as:

An arrangement of visual and/or audio material that requires some element of composition or editing that has been created outside of a professional framework.

Digital Content Creation and Sharing

Motivations

“People [...] produce their own content for self-expression and self-actualisation” (Shao, 2009:9). “Obtaining gratification from being recognised and being able to articulate views, thoughts and experiences through content creation online are important determinants in affecting a person’s perceived empowerment” (Leung, 2009:1344).

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

•Many studies have been conducted into the children and young people’s use of digital technology and the Web

•Little research about adults use of digital tools and digital content creation and sharing

•How has access to digital tools affected adults?

•What are their motivations and inspirations for creating and sharing content?

•Do they transfer non-digital skills and how do they learn new skills?

•How and where do they share content?

•Digital literacy

Digital Content Creation and Sharing

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Recent UK Survey Statistics

Internet access:

73% of households have internet access

60% of adults accessing the internet everyday in 2010

Source: Office for National Statistics – Internet Access 2010 Households and individuals.

Date: 27 August 2010. Coverage: UK Base: UK adults who access the internet in the last three months.

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Recent UK Survey Statistics

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Age bands in study

18-28, 40-50 and 65+

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Communication and Distribution Channels

Time basedSynchronous: sender and receiver are concurrently engaged in communication

Asynchronous: sender and receiver are not concurrently engaged in communication

Communication paradigms ‘One-to-one’ (interpersonal) ‘One-to-many’ (mass)

‘Many-to-many’ (networked)

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Age Groups & Communication Technology

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Methodology

Age bands of this study

18-28, 40-50 and 65+

Sample

12 x 3 age groups = 36 participants

already engaged in digital content creation and sharing

Qualitative methods using

•Interviews: face-to-face, semi-structured, open-ended and conversational

•Website repository: interviewees asked to upload their content

•Monitoring participants online content (where possible)

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Methodology

• Internet: content sharing websites, social media platforms, Social network site, email, forums, Internet searches

• Telephone: personal one-to-one telephone calls

• Educational establishments: universities, colleges

• Introductions though events: open days, meet-up groups, exhibitions

Recruiting participants

Initial findings

•Although 18-28 age group use digital technology and the Web more they are not necessarily more critical or digitally literate.

•Participants in all age groups suggest that if they were paid for creating their content they would find it less enjoyable.

• Evidence that members of all age groups transfer physical world/analogue content creation skills to digital environment.

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Initial findings

•In this study many people who form close friendships online through sharing content often meet-up face-to-face.

•Vast majority of participants have had some of their work used, copied or remixed by someone else. Most don’t mind as long as they are credited and not used commercially.

•Engage in less phatic communication due to discussions and conversations about content.

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Website repository

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

Website repository

Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groupsTim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

www.timrileydigital.comwww.myphddiary.co.uk