A Middle-Aged Social Internet with a Millennial Exodus? Changes in Identifications with Online Communities Between 2009 and 2017 in Finland

Abstract

This study is focused on questions regarding online identifications. We intend to examine the extent to which different demographic groups and generations in Finland identify with online communities in 2009 and 2017. Our empirical data are derived from nationally representative surveys collected in Finland in 2009 (n = 1,202) and 2017 (n = 1,648). The findings indicated that identification with online communities has increased in Finland between 2009 and 2017. Notably, demographic differences have diminished over time as the popularity of online groups has increased among middle-aged citizens especially. Analysis showed an interesting interaction between age cohort and observed year. It seems that younger generations have experienced a communal backlash, in which identification to online communities has decreased, while identification with traditional social groups has not changed.