1. MAKING CHILD WELFARE MORE SOCIAL
© BUILD SOCIAL
Making Child Welfare
More Social
Social media is wide-spread and it’s here to stay! Here are some
compelling data on social media use:
• In the U.S., social networks and blogs reach nearly 80 percent of active U.S. Internet users and
represent the majority of Americans’ time online.1
• Social media can be defined as any online platform or channel for publishing and disseminating
user-generated content. 2
• Today more than ever older Internet users are flocking to social sites to join in the conversation. In
fact, the most significant growth among these
sites in the last several years has been among 50
years and older, which has steadily upped the
average user age across the board. 3
• 95% of all teens ages 12-17 are online and 80% of
those teens use social media.4
• Connection with family and friends is the primary
reason people use social media. 2/3 say staying in
touch is a major reason they use these sites.5
• Most online adults describe their experiences
using social media in positive terms.6 Terms social media users used to describe their
experience. http://www.pewinternet.org/
• The average social media user has more close ties and is 1/2 as Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites
likely to be socially isolated.7
• 65% of social media-using teens have had an experience that made them feel good about themselves.
58% have felt closer to another person.8
• Facebook users have more social support, and they are much more politically engaged compared
with Americans of a similar age and education.9
• Young adults who spend more time on Facebook are better at showing “virtual empathy.” 10
• Youth who use blogs, websites and email to discuss politics and current events become more socially
engaged over time.11
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2. MAKING CHILD WELFARE MORE SOCIAL
© BUILD SOCIAL
• In a study of 63 Cornell University undergraduates, researchers found that people reported higher
self-esteem after spending time on their Facebook profile than after time spent looking into a mirror
(Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 2011). 12
• Social networking triggers the release of the feel-good hormone, Oxytocin.13
Resources
Policy:
• Online Database of Social Media Policies - http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php
• The Nonprofit Social Media Policy Workbook - http://www.idealware.org/reports/nonprofit-social-
media-policy-workbook
• Creating a Social Media Policy - http://idealware.org/articles/creating-social-media-policy
• Designing Social Media Policy for Government - http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/guides/
social_media_policy
Strategy:
• Developing a Social Media Strategy - http://www.buildsocialconsulting.com/resources/developing-
a-strategy/
• Social Media Strategy in 8 Steps - http://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media-strategy/
social-media-strategy-in-8-steps/
• The POST Method: A systematic approach to social strategy - http://forrester.typepad.com/
groundswell/2007/12/the-post-method.html
Data:
• Pew Internet and American Life Project - http://www.pewinternet.org/
How-To:
• Instagram Basics - http://help.instagram.com/324502877648266
• Snapchat Walkthrough - http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-snapchat-2013-2?op=1
• 8 Tips for Using Facebook Scheduled Posts - http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-
scheduled-posts/
• Build Social’s 101 Guide to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter - http://
www.buildsocialconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Build-Socials-101-Guide-2-26-13.pdf
• Social Media Best Practices - http://www.buildsocialconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/
Social-Media-Best-Practices.pdf
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3. MAKING CHILD WELFARE MORE SOCIAL
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References
1. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/social/
2. http://heidicohen.com/social-media-definition/
3. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites.aspx
4. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Teens-and-social-media
5. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Why-Americans-Use-Social-Media
6. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-Networking-Sites
7. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Technology-and-social-networks
8. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Teens-and-social-media/Summary/Majority-of-teens
9. http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2012/March/Pew-Internet-Social-Networking-full-detail.aspx
10. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/facebook.aspx
11. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/02/friends.aspx
12. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/facebook.aspx
13. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/april-rudin/the-science-behind-feelin_b_624649.html
For more information and resources visit www.buildsocialconsulting.com
or contact Brittany Smith at brittany@buildsocialconsulting.com
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