A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Sociodemographic Factors on Social Media Adoption

Authors

  • Guangchao Charles Feng Shenzhen University
  • Yuting Zhang Southern Metropolis Daily, China
  • Zhiliang Lin Jinan University

Keywords:

digital divide, social media use, sociodemographics, meta-analysis

Abstract

Focusing on the effects of sociodemographic factors on the social media divide, one of the second-level divides, this meta-analysis finds that individuals who were female, younger, well-educated, well-paid, and urban residents were more likely to use social media. However, race as well as marital status and employment status did not play a role in predicting the adoption of social media platforms. Through moderator analysis, we find that the effect of age was robust without respect to study-level characteristics and that studies conducted in collectivistic countries and random samples demonstrate greater effects for education level.

Author Biographies

Guangchao Charles Feng, Shenzhen University

distinguished professor in the College of Communication, Shenzhen University

Yuting Zhang, Southern Metropolis Daily, China

Research Associate atSouthern Metropolis NewsDaily, China

Zhiliang Lin, Jinan University

Grad Student

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Published

2019-04-29

Issue

Vol. 13 (2019)

Section

Articles

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