Social network practices and attitudes of young people: The influence of sex, age, and social class

Abstract

Young people show differential levels of participation in social networks linked to their different motivation to partici-pate, even though their use is very high and intensive. In this study, a map of the most relevant social network practices of young people is constructed, with a particular focus on identifying participatory uses and studying their attitudes towards these spaces that support or limit their online behavior, while taking into account aspects such as sex, age, or family social class. The quantitative methodology applied in the current work analyzes the results of a representative statistical survey of young people aged 17 to 24 years in the Community of Madrid (N = 533). The results confirm the high and intensive use of social media by young people, mainly oriented towards entertainment and interaction with their closest environment. However, these figures drop drastically when it comes to more participatory actions, highlighting differences according to social class. Based on the results of an exploratory factor analysis, we identify four types of use: informative, participatory, close sociability, and recreational. On the other hand, young people perceive social networks especially as spaces for information, to share opinions and experiences with the community, and for the participation of the general public, which allows them to influence reality, although they also express caution regarding the possible consequences of publishing opinions and personal information. Their assessment of these platforms and their reper-cussions is linked to sex, age, and family social class, making it possible to predict the different types of use, albeit with limited effects.