Social media part of life in Singapore, especially among the young: Nielsen

Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia 3 Feb 10;

SINGAPORE : Social media has become a big part of life in Singapore, especially among the younger set.

A recent study by The Nielsen Company, found that 52 per cent of the Singapore population are participating in at least one social networking website, with the most popular being Facebook - at 42 per cent.

Trailing behind as the second-most accessed community or social networking website is YouTube at 35 per cent, while Friendster takes a distant third spot with one in 10 locals using it.

The company's recent study involved 1,000 Singaporeans, aged 15 and above.

Nielsen's findings revealed that 95 per cent of the 15-19 age group are using some form of social networking media, while 89 per cent of those in their 20s form the next biggest users.

The survey also found that many users in Singapore are not bothered by the security risks associated with social networking sites.

Among those who did express some form of anxiety, loss of privacy from sharing personal information emerged as a top concern.

Two other concerns raised by respondents were the risk of accounts being hacked into - at 8 per cent - and getting messages or requests from strangers - at 5 per cent.

According to Nielsen's survey, the main factor that motivates Singaporeans to get onto social networking sites is to keep their friends updated on happenings in their life, at 39 per cent.

33 per cent are interested to be updated on happenings in their friends' lives, while 22 per cent use social networking sites to make new friends and network.

Among those who do not currently use social networking sites, 43 per cent attributed computer-illiteracy as the main reason for non usage, followed by lack of interest at 25 per cent, and lack of time at 22 per cent. - CNA/ms