The document presents insights on social media engagement and its impact on how individuals gather health information, prepared by Susannah Fox for the National Library of Medicine. It discusses various online activities such as social networking, entertainment, and research, highlighting the increasing importance of the internet in accessing health-related information. The presentation includes references to several Pew Internet Project studies that analyze generational differences in online behavior.

1. Generations Online
and the Social Life of Health Information
A presentation prepared by Susannah Fox
for the National Library of Medicine
July 8, 2010
All Pew Internet Project studies are available for free on our site:
http://pewinternet.org/
Health research:
http://www.pewinternet.org/topics/Health.aspx
Questions or comments:
sfox@pewinternet.org
@SusannahFox
202-419-4511

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3. Source: Sydney Jones and Susannah Fox, “Generations Online: Charts” (Jan. 28, 2009)
http://pewinternet.org/Presentations/2009/Generations-Online-in-2009.aspx
Active engagement
with social media
(visit SNS, create SNS profile,
create blogs)
More advanced online
entertainment
(download videos, music and
podcasts)
More advanced
communication and passive
social media use
Basic online entertainment
(online videos, playing games)
E-commerce
(online shopping, banking, and travel reservations)
Research and information gathering
(product research, news, health and religious information searches)
Email and search
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4. Source: Josh Bernoff, Social Technographics: Conversationalists get onto the ladder
http://blogs.forrester.com/groundswell/2010/01/conversationalists-get-onto-the-ladder.html
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5. Source: Aaron Smith, “Mobile Access 2010” (Pew Internet Project: July 7, 2010)
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Mobile-Access-2010.aspx
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6. Source: Aaron Smith, “Mobile Access 2010” (Pew Internet Project: July 7, 2010)
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Mobile-Access-2010.aspx
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7. Source: Susannah Fox, “The Social Life of Health Information” (Pew Internet Project:
June 11, 2009)
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/8-The-Social-Life-of-Health-Information.aspx
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8. Source: Susannah Fox, “Chronic Disease and the Internet” (Pew Internet Project: March
24, 2010)
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Chronic-Disease.aspx
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9. Source: Susannah Fox, “Chronic Disease and the Internet” (Pew Internet Project: March
24, 2010)
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Chronic-Disease.aspx
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