Social media and social class

YATES, Simeon and LOCKLEY, Eleanor (2018). Social media and social class. American Behavioral Scientist, 62 (9), 1291-1316.

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Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764218773821

Abstract

Background: This paper explores the relationship between social class and social media use, and draws upon the work of Bourdieu examining class in terms of social, economic and cultural capital. The paper starts from a prior finding that those who predominantly only use social media formed a higher proportion of internet users from lower socio-economic groups. Data: Drawing on data from two nationally representative UK surveys the paper makes use of the Ofcom Media Literacy survey (n ≈ 1800 per annum) and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Taking Part survey (n ≈ 10,000 per annum). Methods: Following Yates, et al. (2015a), five types of internet behaviour and eight types of internet user are identified utilising a principal components analysis and k-means clustering. These internet user types are then examined against measures of social, economic and cultural capital. Data on forms of cultural consumption and digital media use are examined using multiple correspondence analysis. Findings: The paper concludes that forms of digital media use are in correspondence with other social, cultural and economic aspects of social class status and contemporary social systems of distinction.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Published in the Special Edition Digital Inequality across major life realms. Co-Editors:Laura Robinson (Santa Clara University), Wenhong Chen (UT Austin), and Jeremy Schulz (UC Berkeley). Assistant Editor: Aneka Khilnani (Santa Clara University)
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Cultural Communication and Computing Research Institute > Communication and Computing Research Centre
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Faculty of Science, Technology and Arts > Department of Media Arts and Communication
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764218773821
Page Range: 1291-1316
Depositing User: Eleanor Lockley
Date Deposited: 23 Feb 2018 12:24
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 07:22
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18741

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