Social behavior

“Tweet” in 2011 earned a second definition in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a “post made on the Twitter online message service,” and social media buffs everywhere have adopted new meanings for the words “like,” “wall” and “tag.”

But, for people like Joe Hall who have resisted joining the social media movement, a tweet is still just the sound of a bird chirping, and a wall is still just the side of a building.

“I've thought about setting up a (Facebook) account to keep in touch with people, but every time I think about it I feel self-conscious because you have to display yourself in some way,” said Hall, 27, of Iowa City. “Plus, there are lots of people I can think of who I don't want to find me.”

Hall is not alone, although the number of people like him who are resisting virtual socialization is shrinking in this country and abroad, according to a recent study out of the Pew Research Center. The survey, which polled a random sampling of about 1,000 residents in 21 countries in 2011, found that 50 percent of the American participants use social media, ranking the United States second in the world behind Israel's 53 percent.

In 15 of the countries surveyed, at least a quarter of the respondents reported using some type of social media, and University of Iowa associate professor of communications Kembrew McLeod said research indicates virtual socializing isn't going away - even if sites like Facebook and Twitter do.

“The behaviors and activities associated with social media and being connected online and through mobile technologies - that is not a trend,” McLeod said. “But perhaps Facebook is a trend or Twitter is a trend.”

McLeod said he expects the demographics of social media users to change over the next few decades. Already, he said, Facebook is attracting an older audience than it did six years ago, and younger users are trending toward Twitter.

According to the Pew Research Center study, the 18 to 29 age group has the largest percentage of social media users in nearly every country. In the United States, 80 percent of respondents in that group use social media, compared with 62 percent in the 30 to 49 age range and 26 percent among those 50 and older.

That 26 percent of the oldest group is higher than in any other country, according to the study, and McLeod said he expects that percentage will continue to grow as today's younger users age and as social media becomes increasingly prevalent.

“People who grew up in a social media environment aren't going to abandon it,” he said.

Social media will continue to become a fabric of everyday life, according to McLeod, who pointed to its facilitating role in recent international revolutions - like those that overthrew governments in Egypt and Libya.

“When new technologies come along, we find ways of adapting it to what we have already done, whether it be overturning governments or interacting with friends,” McLeod said. “So the trend is not going to go away.”

Various studies have documented some of the downsides to increasing social media use. One study out of the United Kingdom found that 33 percent of the divorce petitions in 2011 cited Facebook as a contributing factor, and the 2011 National Business Ethics Survey linked social media use to lower ethical standards.

But, McLeod said, there are and will continue to be drawbacks to resisting virtual socialization. People who don't get onboard will miss events, be last to see photos and find themselves generally in the dark on the happenings in their social circles, he said.

Cyndi Michel, 65, of rural Johnson County, said she was skeptical of social media at first but now is among the Facebook faithful.

“I'm pretty much addicted to it,” she said.

Michel said she logs on in the morning and after dinner to see what friends are doing, play games and scan political fodder.

“I probably spend too much time on it.” Michel said.

The growing popularity of Facebook among older users has turned off some in the younger generation.

“I thought about getting off Facebook as soon as my grandma got on,” said David Wilson, 23, of Cedar Rapids. “Now it's not so cool.”

Ryan Snitker, 23, of Swisher, said he's remained Facebook-free - even as people three times his age get wired in - not because social networking is uncool.

“I just don't have a need for it,” Snitker said. “I have friends, and I stay in contact with all of them.”

Plus, he said, there are “100 different things I could be doing besides hanging out on Facebook.”