Social networks: they are mainly used in developing countries, but they have fallen in rich economies

The use of social networks rose from 38% to 53% in poor economies, while in rich countries, 61% to 60%, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center.

While discussing the benefits and costs of using the Internet and social networks, the Web continues to expand worldwide as the use of Facebook or Twitter platforms increases in developing countries but stagnates in developed countries. According to the Pew Research Center (PRC), 53% of people connected use network platforms, but "this figure hides great differences in the world."

The use of social networks increased from 38% to 53% between 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 in the poor economies, but in the rich economies, it went from 61% to 60% in the same period, according to the research. "The relationship between the use of social networks and the wealth of the country is not as strong as is with respect to Internet access in general and the property of one." smartphone, "said the study. The survey covered 37 countries and 40,448 people

In the 19 emerging and developing economies where the PRC conducted the surveys, the use of the Internet has seen a steady increase over the past few years. last five years: if in 2013-2014, 42% of people said that they used the network, in 2017-2018 the average rose to 64% of people online. In the 17 rich countries studied, connectivity penetration increased from 86% to 87% over the same period.

A similar progression was observed in the use of smartphones: between 2013-2014, a quarter of people in poor countries had a device that could access the network and different applications; by 2017-18, the percentage had increased to 42% of the population. In strong economies, 72% of people had smartphones in both moments badyzed.

The use of networks, however, showed the opposite trend: stagnate and even decrease slightly in developed countries and increase in emerging and developing countries. "For example, the Middle East is distinguished by its relatively high levels compared to other regions," the paper notes, "even though only Israel is an advanced economy."

This average is due to other countries in the Middle East and Africa. North, as the five respondents showed 68% of Internet users in social networks. And in the seven Latin American countries badyzed, none of which is considered an advanced economy, 59% use social networks, compared to 55% of the ten European countries studied, all of which are considered developed. According to PRC

However, social networks remain relevant in many powerful nations. Exchange rates are still two-thirds or more of those connected to the United States, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Israel and Sweden.

Some strong economies have shown particularly low levels of use of social networks: Germany, with 40%, and Japan, with 39%, among them. The report also cites exceptional cases of intensive use: in the Philippines, 88% of Internet users have accounts on social networks and 94% in Jordan.

"Despite the increasing use of the Internet and the possession of smartphones, the digital division remains in the world," detailed the survey. "For example, people in the richest countries have higher rates of Internet use and possession of smartphones, but among those who use the Internet, those in developing countries tend to have more tend to interact on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as their counterparts in developed economies. "

Gaps also persist within countries: age, level of education, income and gender "still distinguish those who use the Internet and those who do not, those who are in social networks and those who are not," according to the PRC

Source: Infobae