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The Business Insider has delved deeply into a study about Twitter usage and uncovered the startling fact that African Americans make up a whopping 25 percent of all Twitter users -- even though we are only 12 percent of the population. Business Insider speculates the reason that black Americans are such heavy Twitter users are as follows:
-Black people (and Hispanics) are much more likely to access the Internet from mobile devices. Twitter is well-suited to mobile use, and its users are more engaged with the mobile Internet than the general population by a wide margin.
-More black than white celebrities are active Twitter users: Shaquille O'Neal, Oprah, 50 Cent, and P. Diddy are all among the most followed accounts on Twitter. That's great publicity for Twitter and could be helping it become more mainstream among black people.
-The median age for black Americans (according to the 2000 census) is 30 years old, a full seven years younger than for white Americans. Black people therefore make up a relatively higher percentage of the population within the most relevant age groups -- Twitter is most popular amongst 25-34 year-olds.
Those are all pretty interesting insights, but I think Business Insider is missing out on the very obvious fact that blacks and Latinos often prefer to stay connected with the kind of immediacy that Twitter allows. Our culture is very much one of talking and direct confrontation, so Twitter naturally flows well with the way we communicate -- on the go, shouting out to people, and saying "hi," even if virtually, to everyone we meet. Twitter is almost like a digital barber shop or hair salon where you can share insights with everyone you know and love at once. Of course black folks love it!
It will be interesting to see if African American business people and politicians will be able to take advantage of what could prove to be a lucrative, condensed audience of young blacks in the coming years. Only time will tell, but this is an interesting find that our community should take advantage of.
Comments: (3)
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By: alicia on 5/03/2010 5:51PM
It is an interesting social commentary that black people seemingly use Twitter at a higher percentage. For me...it is a great way to share news,gossip and the new posts that I'ved published. What is not to like?
Alicia
http://fashionasmusings.blogspot.com/
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By: Friday on 5/03/2010 7:59PM
gosh! black people have become the #1 research topic in america. just like in my epidemiology class, every disease blacks have the highest rate.
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By: charles on 5/05/2010 8:53PM
I can do without it, I never follow the crowd.
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