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In-Depth Report on Social Media Usage Across Generations

Jannat Al Bahar

MCM103

Project
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Introduction

It was from the development of media that people got to know how to consume
information, interact with one another, and express themselves. Social media has been the
most plunging area within generational communication and society in general. This report
will discuss social media generational differences in use within my family: platforms,
purposes, privacy concerns, and perceptions compared to traditional media. This research
investigates, through in-depth interviews with members from four generations, the patterns
that indicate how media use has influenced and reflected generational identity.

Methodology

I interviewed my family members representing four different generations concerning

their use of social media: young adults (18-30), adults (31-50), older adults (51-70), and
elderly (70+). All participants were interviewed individually in order to obtain focused and
candid responses. These were organized into six broad areas: social media usage (platforms
and frequency), purpose (for what do they use social media), traditional media comparison-
e.g., TV, newspapers, radio, perceptions about social media-societal impact, privacy and
security-concerns, measures taken, and generational differences-how they think their usage is
different from that of other age groups.

Participants were selected on the basis of convenience and their willingness to openly
share the experiences and habits of an individual. The nature of the questions was open-
ended, enabling depth into their media preferences that aligned with or diverged from general
trends within their generation. Due care was taken over the recording of responses, and notes
were taken down in as much detail as their attitude and behavior would allow. This
qualitative approach has allowed deep analysis of data, showing how themes and contrasts
recur throughout the generations. The current study distills these insights into a more
integrated understanding of evolving media consumption across age groups as a function of
societal shifts in communication and information exchange.

Findings

1. Social Media Usage

 18–30 (Young Adults):

The most utilized social media platforms by young adults are Instagram and Snapchat,
which they spend approximately 3 hours on daily. These sites have turned into a
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source for young adults to keep themselves updated on trends, connect with their
friends, and get real-time information.
 31–50 (Adults):
Adults use TikTok, AppleNews and X to name a few. Some use them episodically,
while the rest use them daily-a source for news and even entertainment.
 51–70 (Older Adults):
Older adults prefer to use Whatsapp, Facebook, and instagram to receive news and
participate in focused discussions. They access these platforms daily to get in touch
with friends and family, but with specific intentions and without unnecessary
scrolling.
 70+ (Elderly):
The elderly use Facebook and YouTube occasionally to connect with family members
and explore select content. Their engagement is minimal and often passive.

2. Purpose of Social Media Usage

 18–30 (Young Adults):

Social media is a medium through which young adults maintain personal
relationships, keep up to date with world events, and participate in digital trends. They
also serve as a form of entertainment and escape.
 31–50 (Adults):
This group uses social media for a mix of purposes, including news, entertainment,
and professional networking. Some view it as a tool for staying relevant and informed
in their careers, while others enjoy it as a break from daily routines.
 51–70 (Older Adults):
Social media serves as an informational tool, enabling older adults to track news,
events, and developments relevant to their interests. It also provides a space for
selective social interactions.
 70+ (Elderly):
The elderly emphasize family contact to be the most important use, while rarely
browsing for entertainment; social media is supposed to supplement traditional media
for them as a whole.

Age Group 18-30 (Young 31-50 51-70 70+ (Elderly)

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Adults) (Adults, (Older

Professiona Adults)
ls, Parents)
Social Media Which social Which Which Which social media
Usage media platforms social social platforms do you
do you use media media use regularly?
regularly? platforms platforms The online platforms I
The social media do you use do you use primarily engage with
platforms I use regularly? regularly? include Facebook,
regularly are TikTok, Apple I mostly use where I connect with
Instagram and News and X WhatsApp, family members, and
Snapchat. Facebook, and YouTube, which I use
Instagram to explore a variety of
content based on my
interests.

How often do How often do How often How often do you

you use them? you use do you use use them?
Based on the them? them? I use Facebook and
statistics from my I use these I use these YouTube occasionally,
phone, I spend platforms platforms a perhaps once or twice
about 3 hours a daily. few times a a week, depending on
day in total using day, but not when I want to
these platforms. as frequently connect with family or
as younger watch specific
people. content.
Sometimes it
depends on
whether
there’s a
reason, like
checking in
with family
or following
the news.
Purpose Why do you use Why do you Why do you Why do you use
social media? use social use social social media? (e.g.,
(e.g., to stay in media? media? (e.g., to stay in touch
touch with (e.g., to to stay in with friends/family,
friends/family, stay in touch with for news,
for news, touch with friends/famil entertainment,
entertainment, friends/fami y, for news, work)
work) ly, for entertainmen I use social media
I primarily use news, t, work) mainly to stay in
social media to entertainm My main touch with family
stay connected ent, work) reason for members and to
with friends and I use social using social occasionally explore
stay updated on media to media is to videos that match my
global events. read the stay in touch interests. It is a
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Social media latest with friends convenient way to

provides quicker news, and family, feel connected
updates on check for especially without being overly
political and social updates on those who involved.
issues compared to events in live far away.
traditional news Kuwait, and I also use it
outlets. converse to read news,
with my watch videos
friends. that interest
me, and join
groups or
pages
related to my
hobbies.
Other Media Do you also use Do you also Do you also Do you also use
other media use other use other other media forms
forms (TV, media media (TV, newspapers,
newspapers, forms (TV, forms (TV, radio)?
radio)? newspapers newspapers Yes, I primarily rely on
Yes, I watch TV, , radio)? , radio)? traditional media like
mainly for movies I occasionally Yes, I still TV and newspapers
and crime watch TV for watch TV for news and
documentaries. morning daily for entertainment. Social
These shows and news and media feels less
documentaries news but shows, read reliable and more
help me learn rarely use newspapers complicated, while
about real-world the radio sometimes, traditional media is
issues. However, unless it’s and listen to familiar,
compared to social work-related. the radio in straightforward, and
media, television is Unlike TV my car. trustworthy.
slower in delivering and radio’s Compared to
real-time updates preset social media,
on current events. content, these forms
Social media offers social media feel more
instant allows traditional
information, personalized and
making it more feeds, trustworthy,
relevant for content but social
staying informed. muting, and media is
revisiting faster and
posts unless more
deleted. interactive
Missing a TV then how it
or radio show used to be in
often means the old
losing times.
access to it.

Perceptions of How do you feel How do you How do you How do you feel
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Social Media about social feel about feel about about social media
media compared social social compared to
to traditional media media traditional media?
media? compared compared
Do you think it’s to to Do you think it’s a
a positive or traditional traditional positive or
negative media? media? negative influence
influence on on society?
society? Do you Do you Social media is good
I feel that social think it’s a think it’s a for connecting with
media has both positive or positive or loved ones, but I find
positive and negative negative it overwhelming and
negative aspects influence influence full of misinformation.
compared to on society? on society? Traditional media
traditional media. It depends I think social feels more structured
On the positive on the user’s media has its and dependable,
side, it provides habits, the positives, like making it a better
real-time updates, accounts keeping us choice for
fosters global they follow, connected, understanding the
connections, and the but it also world.
amplifies voices information has
that might they get from drawbacks
otherwise go those like
unheard. On the accounts, spreading
negative side, it and how false
can often they information
spread misinformat use social and being
ion quickly and media. Social addictive for
contribute to media is a some.
societal pressures, double- Traditional
such as unrealistic edged sword media feels
beauty standards. —it can be more
Overall, its impact positive or controlled
depends on how negative and less
responsibly people depending chaotic.
use it. on these
factors.
Privacy & Are you Are you Are you Are you concerned
Security concerned about concerned concerned about privacy on
privacy on social about about social media?
media? What privacy on privacy on What steps do you
steps do you social social take to protect
take to protect media? media? your information?
your What steps What steps I am not overly
information? do you take do you take concerned about
to protect to protect privacy because I
Yes, I am your your rarely share personal
concerned about information information details online. My
privacy on social ? ? minimal use of social
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media. To protect Yes, I am. I Yes, I am media keeps me from

my information, I protect my concerned worrying too much
keep my profiles privacy by about about security.
private, avoid using two- privacy. I
sharing sensitive factor don’t share
personal details, authenticatio too much
and regularly n, a personal
update my password information,
passwords. I am manager like and I’ve
also cautious 1Password, adjusted my
about the unique privacy
permissions I grant passwords, settings. I
to apps and the staying also avoid
content I post updated on clicking on
online. privacy suspicious
news, and links and try
avoiding to use secure
spam passwords
messages. from time
to time.
Generational Do you think Do you Do you Do you think your
Differences your use of think your think your use of social media
social media use of use of differs from
differs from social social younger or older
younger or older media media generations? How
generations? differs from differs from so?
How so? younger or younger or Yes, my use is much
Yes, I think my use older older more limited and
of social media generations generations purposeful. I use
differs from both ? How so? ? How so? social media only to
younger and older Yes and no. Definitely. connect with family or
generations. Yes, because Younger occasionally explore
Younger older generations hobbies, unlike
generations tend generations share younger generations
to use platforms tend to focus everything who seem to be
like TikTok and are on specific on social deeply immersed in it
more focused on topics and media, while for trends and
trends and generally I use it entertainment.
entertainment, don’t care mainly for
while older about trends, staying
generations may for the most connected
use platforms like part. Younger and finding
Facebook primarily generations, information,
for staying however, being more
connected with often follow cautious with
family or reading the latest posts. Older
news. My usage social media generations,
strikes a balance trends. No, like those in
between staying because both their 70s or
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informed and generations 80s, often

maintaining social can become stick to one
connections, which equally platform like
may differ in focus addicted to Facebook, as
from these other social media they grew up
groups. platforms like with
TikTok. traditional
media like
TV, radio,
and
newspapers.

3. Comparison to Traditional Media

These findings indicate sharp generational differences in the perception and use of social
media and traditional media. The immediacy and interactivity of the social media are relied
upon more by the young adults (18-30 years); hence, Instagram and Snapchat have become
important platforms for them to maintain contact with and be well-informed about others.
Traditional media, such as TV and newspapers, were seen as slow and less interesting; they
turned over to social media platforms for real-time updates and fun. Contrarily, adults fall in
the age bracket of 31–50-year-olds that balance traditional and digital media. They like the
ease and variety of social media, but they still consider traditional media more curated and
trustworthy. Sometimes, for instance, they would read newspapers for in-depth reporting, but
they would rather get information from TikTok or X because it is faster.

The elderly citizens, ranging between the ages of 51 and 70 years, use social media more
selectively to receive news or updates on things that may interest them. Traditional media is
still credited for their credibility, but at the same time, they have to agree with the benefits
brought about by social media in the personalization and reaccess of news. Meanwhile, the
elderly, aged 70+, remain considerably dependent on traditional media, which seem familiar
and easy to understand. Social media was only used in moderation, as family members feel it
is stressful and a medium not full of reliability.

In all age groups, social media is valued for immediacy, ease of access, and global
connectedness, while traditional media are valued for depth and reliability. However, the
level of reliance on either medium differs significantly, with the younger generation moving
toward digital platforms and the older generation retaining a preference for traditional
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formats. This comparison underlines the evolution in media consumption and the
generational divide in adapting to technological changes.

4. Perceptions of Social Media

 18–30 (Young Adults):

These young adults also see social media as both connecting people and a source of
information, but they also realize its use in misinformation and pressuring on society.
They generally hold optimism about its benefits, emphasizing how it amplifies the
voices of underrepresented people.
 31–50 (Adults):
This group is balanced, though: It points on the one hand to the positives underway-
global connectivity, business growth-and on the other to the negatives: mental health
struggles, unrealistic comparisons. Attention is called to the responsible mindset that
is necessary in their use.
 51–70 (Older Adults):
For older adults, social media has been a double-edged sword. It depends on user
habits, the quality of information consumed, and the accounts followed.
 70+ (Elderly):
Older adults see social media as good for keeping families in touch and yet remain
skeptical about overall societal impact due to disinformation and complexity.

5. Privacy and Security Concerns

 18–30 (Young Adults):

Young adults are very much aware of privacy. They make private settings, avoid
sharing their sensitive information, and also change their passwords frequently in
order to protect their account online.
 31–50 (Adults):
This group uses medium-levels privacy such as using fake usernames and limited
content exposed. Even though they recognize the danger, their protections are more
lax compared with other and older generations of Internet users.
 51–70 (Older Adults):
Older adults demonstrate the greatest awareness of privacy by using tools such as
two-factor authentication, password managers, and staying informed about security
practices.
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 70+ (Elderly):
The elderly care little about privacy, mostly because of their limited involvement with
social media sites.

Analysis

The study has shown that there is a wide generation gap in the use of social media, reflecting
variations in priorities, values, and technological adaptation. Young adults in the age bracket
of 18-30 years are very active on sites such as Instagram and Snapchat, using them to connect
with other people, entertain themselves, and gain information. This group does value
immediacy and interactivity in social media. Yet, it can also be victimized in terms of
perceived social forces-for instance, the urge to follow any trend and to continuously update
one's status online. Adults (31–50) are more evenly split, utilizing social media for
professional ends, entertainment, and news. Accessibility is valued here, but so, too, are the
negative results: misinformation, mental health consequences. It is the transition generation,
which connects traditional media consumption with digital platforms.

The social media uses of the older adults are more selective; they focus their attention on
selected interests, such as news and local updates. The awareness of privacy concerns is
highest in this group, which takes advanced measures for securing information. They value
traditional media for its credibility and reliability. The elderly (over 70) mainly use traditional
media and use social media only a little, especially for family contacts. This group is
overwhelmed by social media and often doesn't trust its content. These generational patterns
are important to note because they show the evolution of media usage in communication,
privacy concerns, and information consumption.

Conclusion

Social media has become one of the strong points for communication and information-
sharing for all generations. While young people use it immediately and stay connected
through it, the older generations do so cautiously and purposefully. Traditional media is,
however, reliable but not quite as engaging for people. This intergenerational analysis serves
to surface how media keeps on influencing lives, therefore putting into view how each
generation adapts to and navigates this digital era.