Facebook users have become lazy, according to a recent Pew Research study.
Researchers discovered that on average Facebook users are less inclined to give to friends than receive in terms of friend requests, page “likes,” tags and messages.
The study watched 269 Facebook users and observed their daily activity. In the results, a segment of Facebook users were labeled as “power users” because of their higher contribution of Facebook activity compared to the typical user.
Power users send out friend requests, “like” posts, send messages and tag friends in photos. Regular users are on the receiving end and are “liked” and “tagged” more than they would perform the action.
Alex Cook, IT coordinator for Continuing Education, said he personally takes in more than he gives out on Facebook.
“Most people, when it comes to media, are consumers,” Cook said. “Social media operates between regular conversation and broadcast.”
Cook said the action of simply sharing pictures and information through social media instead of conversing forms a trend. He said most people don’t feel the need to broadcast information, which is why they share what they’ve read.
“With things like Pinterest and Tumblr, most people are resharing pictures and things,” Cook said. “Facebook is designed so that we say things, but it’s increasingly more about links and sharing information.”
Hillare Lafond, electrical engineering freshman, and Joseph Mills, mechanical engineering freshman, agreed that they are not power users.
“I barely send anything,” Lafond said. “I like checking what people are doing. I don’t post much.”
Mills said he spends more time on Tumblr than Facebook because Facebook has become boring to him.
The average Facebook user has fewer friends compared to their friends, according to the Pew Research study.
Also, individuals tagged in multiple photos are more likely to have popularity and closer relationships outside of Facebook.
Allison Ballard, graphic design sophomore, said she was more active on Facebook in high school than she is now.
“I think it’s boring now,” Ballard said. “If I get a notification, I will check it.”
The study also showed women are more intense in contributing content than men. Of the 269 study volunteers, the ratio of average Facebook updates was 21 to 6 between women and men.
Kimberly Robert, biological sciences sophomore, said that as people get older, they tend to not care about Facebook updates.
“It’s good if you want to check up on people,” Robert said.
 
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Contact Raylea Barrow at [email protected]