Social networking, blogs and gaming sites click with Canadians

The popularity of social networking and blogging among Canadian Internet users is not limited to teens and young adults, as a new poll by TNS Canadian Facts suggests that a sizeable number of middle-aged surfers are frequenting these types of web sites.

The poll found that online teens and young adults are the heaviest users of social networking sites, with 83% of 13-17 year olds and 74% of 18-29 year olds having visited at least one such site. Not surprisingly, older people are less likely to have spent any time on sites such as Facebook and MySpace, but the incidence is still quite high among middle-aged and older online Canadians. Six in 10 people in their 30s have visited at least one social networking site and 45% of those in their 40s have done so. Among those 50 years and older, one-third claim to have visited such a site.

While less interactive, blogs also are a key communication tool. Half (50%) of online Canadians use blogs, with teens and young adults between 18 and 29 the most likely to access them (73% and 64%, respectively). The most popular types of blogs are focused on entertainment/gossip, technology, and sites dedicated to specific hobbies. Less popular blogging topics include politics, fashion, and sports.

The poll found that only about one-third (36%) of online Canadians claim to play online games, with online poker and “live” first-person shooter games being the most popular. Second Life appears to be mostly “hype”: only 2% of online Canadians claim to have created avatars in Second Life and explored the site’s 3-D virtual world.

The nationally representative online survey of 1,627 Canadian Internet users 13 years and older was conducted between April 30 and May 5, 2007.

Originally posted on June 12, 2007 @ 10:46 pm