Who's That Girl? Image and Social Media

Who's s that Girl? Image and Social Media Girl Scout Research Institute Which social networking sites are girls using? Myspace 28% Facebook 91% Twitter 38% Despite popular perception, social networks are not necessarily a "girl's best friend." 85% of girls have talked with their parents about safe social networking behavior. 92% of girls would give up all of their social networking friends if it meant keeping their best friend. 50% admit they are not always as careful as they should be. Girls' emotional safety and reputations are at risk online. / out of 10 girls (68%) have had a negative experience on a social networking site, such as having someone gossip about them or being bullied. 46% think that social networking often creates jealousy among friends. 40% admit to losing respect for a friend because of something she/he posted on a social network. On social networks, a girl's image is not always what it seems. When thinking about themselves, most girls claim they portray a more well-rounded image in person than they do online. Girls downplay several positive characteristics of themselves online, most prominently their smartness, kindness, and efforts to be a good influence. 82% 82% 80% 76% 59% 55% 55% 54% 52% 51% 48% 51% Smart Funny Outgoing Cool Fun Kind Social Confident A Good Influence The upside to social networking. Many girls relate that social networking develops better relationships and connections to causes girls care about. 56% 30% 52% of girls agree that social networks help have gotten involved in a cause think that social networks have increased the quality they care about through a social network. them feel closer and more connected to of their their friends. relationships. Source: www.girlscouts.org/research Findings come from a nationwide online study with 1,026 girls ages 14-17 that fielded in June 2010. Respondents were required to have a social networking profile to participate. The study was conducted in conjunction with TRU. 2012 © Amy K Hunnel (http://www.amykartanddesign.com)