Discussion
Analysis of Data
Overall Usage of Social Media Platforms by Singaporeans
FROM THE DATA IN Table 1, it is possible to see that social media platforms are increasingly gaining popularity in Singapore. Approximately 93.2% of Singaporeans surveyed used at least one social media platform. This is in line with the current trend, where the Social Networking Demographic reach is 98.3% for Singaporeans aged 15 to 34 and 90.9% for Singaporeans aged 35 to above 55 years of age. As of January 2015, 66% of accounts on the most popular social media platform in Singapore were active.
Facebook has the highest number of users in Singapore, with a total of 3.8 million users. However, according to the data in Table 1, Facebook was actively used by 59.6% of the people surveyed. This is lower than Instagram, which was actively used by 71.9% of people surveyed, with a difference of 12.3% from Facebook. This trend may be accorded to 2 factors. Firstly, Facebook, founded in 2004, is relatively older than Instagram, founded in 2010. Thus, Facebook has a more even distribution of users with different ages as compared to Instagram. Around the world, 37.2% of Facebook users are aged 34 and below, however this figure is expected to drop by 0.3% in 2016. In contrast, 59.8% of Instagram users are aged 34 and below. This is crucial when the second factor, the sharp rise in the number of "selfies", is taken into consideration. "Selfies" are self-portraits taken typically using the handphone, and is a craze that reached its peak in 2013, which the Oxford English Dictionary declared the year of the selfie. As "selfies" are generally taken by younger people in the under 34 demographic, many are likely to switch to using solely Instagram, a photograph-sharing app, to post their "selfies", instead of Facebook. The fact that Instagram is more of a novelty as compared to Facebook, which might be deemed "old", further pushes more youngsters to use Instagram instead of Facebook and increases the number of Instagram users.
Also, referring to Table 3, 78.1% of the people surveyed used social media platforms in general daily. Only 10.3% used social media platforms several times a week, while 5.5% used social media platforms weekly, and 1.4% used social media platforms monthly. Thus, it is possible to note a trend: the highest percentage of people surveyed had the highest frequency of social media usage, while the lowest percentage of people surveyed had the lowest frequency of social media usage, excluding those who did not use social media platforms at all. This can be attributed to the addictive quality of social media platforms. When people who did not initially have any interest in social media platforms start using them, it is very easy to get addicted or attracted to the platform. In fact, according to researchers in Chicago University, social media addiction can be stronger than cigarette and alcohol addiction.
On average, Singaporean social media users spend 2 hours 30 minutes on social media platforms daily, 5 minutes more than the global average of 2 hours 25 minutes. However, 4.8% of people surveyed did not use social media platforms at all.
Facebook has the highest number of users in Singapore, with a total of 3.8 million users. However, according to the data in Table 1, Facebook was actively used by 59.6% of the people surveyed. This is lower than Instagram, which was actively used by 71.9% of people surveyed, with a difference of 12.3% from Facebook. This trend may be accorded to 2 factors. Firstly, Facebook, founded in 2004, is relatively older than Instagram, founded in 2010. Thus, Facebook has a more even distribution of users with different ages as compared to Instagram. Around the world, 37.2% of Facebook users are aged 34 and below, however this figure is expected to drop by 0.3% in 2016. In contrast, 59.8% of Instagram users are aged 34 and below. This is crucial when the second factor, the sharp rise in the number of "selfies", is taken into consideration. "Selfies" are self-portraits taken typically using the handphone, and is a craze that reached its peak in 2013, which the Oxford English Dictionary declared the year of the selfie. As "selfies" are generally taken by younger people in the under 34 demographic, many are likely to switch to using solely Instagram, a photograph-sharing app, to post their "selfies", instead of Facebook. The fact that Instagram is more of a novelty as compared to Facebook, which might be deemed "old", further pushes more youngsters to use Instagram instead of Facebook and increases the number of Instagram users.
Also, referring to Table 3, 78.1% of the people surveyed used social media platforms in general daily. Only 10.3% used social media platforms several times a week, while 5.5% used social media platforms weekly, and 1.4% used social media platforms monthly. Thus, it is possible to note a trend: the highest percentage of people surveyed had the highest frequency of social media usage, while the lowest percentage of people surveyed had the lowest frequency of social media usage, excluding those who did not use social media platforms at all. This can be attributed to the addictive quality of social media platforms. When people who did not initially have any interest in social media platforms start using them, it is very easy to get addicted or attracted to the platform. In fact, according to researchers in Chicago University, social media addiction can be stronger than cigarette and alcohol addiction.
On average, Singaporean social media users spend 2 hours 30 minutes on social media platforms daily, 5 minutes more than the global average of 2 hours 25 minutes. However, 4.8% of people surveyed did not use social media platforms at all.
Social Media Platforms: A Source of News
DESPITE THE POPULARITY OF Instagram, a majority of 76.7% of people surveyed considered Facebook a source of news for events in other countries, as compared to 40.4% for Twitter and 21.2% for Instagram (Table 2). The reason why Facebook is widely considered a source of news for events around the world is because through the years it has developed many website referrals for news outlets. It works with media organizations, particularly news and publishing sites. Statistics show that Facebook increased the number of articles media sites posted by an average of 57%, which increased referral to news websites by 80%, meaning that Facebook users read 80% more news on events in other countries on Facebook. The sheer number of news articles readily available on Facebook makes Facebook the top social media site considered to be a source of news for events around the world.
Twitter follows behind Facebook in this aspect with 40.4% of people surveyed considering Twitter as a source of news. In the United States of America (USA), 50% of Twitter users consider Twitter as a source of news for events around the world, as compared to 46.9% of Facebook users. The reason why Facebook is still more widely considered source for news around the world in the social media platform sector is because Facebook has much more users than Twitter. In the USA, 64% of adults use Facebook, as compared to the 16% who use Twitter. Even if 100% of Twitter users consider Twitter a source of news for events around the world, Twitter would still fall short of the 30% who consider Facebook a source of news for events around the world.
Among these three social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), Instagram is considered by least people surveyed as a source of news for events around the world. This is because Instagram is a social media platforms which focuses more on photographs than words. As news reports consist mostly of words and a few pictures, it would not be feasible for there to be too many words in an Instagram post, thus Instagram is not as effective a source of news as Facebook and Twitter.
Twitter follows behind Facebook in this aspect with 40.4% of people surveyed considering Twitter as a source of news. In the United States of America (USA), 50% of Twitter users consider Twitter as a source of news for events around the world, as compared to 46.9% of Facebook users. The reason why Facebook is still more widely considered source for news around the world in the social media platform sector is because Facebook has much more users than Twitter. In the USA, 64% of adults use Facebook, as compared to the 16% who use Twitter. Even if 100% of Twitter users consider Twitter a source of news for events around the world, Twitter would still fall short of the 30% who consider Facebook a source of news for events around the world.
Among these three social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), Instagram is considered by least people surveyed as a source of news for events around the world. This is because Instagram is a social media platforms which focuses more on photographs than words. As news reports consist mostly of words and a few pictures, it would not be feasible for there to be too many words in an Instagram post, thus Instagram is not as effective a source of news as Facebook and Twitter.
Frequency of Using Social Media vs Frequency of Reading the Local Newspaper
MOST SINGAPOREANS READ LOCAL newspapers weekly, with almost as many Singaporeans reading local newspapers several times a week according to our survey (Table 5). 31.5% of people surveyed read local newspapers weekly, while 30.8% of them read local newspapers several times a week, 11.6% read newspapers daily, while 12.3% read newspapers monthly. However, the situation is quite different when the people surveyed were asked about the frequency at which they read news about events in other countries on social media. The highest percentage of respondents said that they read news on social media platforms daily, and the percentage decreased as the frequency decreased (Table 4). In fact, 32.9% of respondents read news about events around the world on social media daily as compared to the 11.6% who read local newspapers daily, an increase of 21.3%. Also, 11% of respondents did not read news about events in other countries on social media platforms, while the figure stood at 13.7% for local newspapers.
From this, it is possible to notice a trend: Singaporeans generally read news about events in other countries on social media platforms more frequently as compared to on local newspapers. The reason for this can be because of a combination of factors, including the readily available news reports/segments on social media platforms like Facebook, and the amount of time Singaporeans spend on social media platforms. Using the example of Facebook, many media organisations such as The Straits Times and TIME have official Facebook accounts which they use to post news articles about events around the world. Since there are so many media organizations using Facebook, the sheer number of posts on events around the world can be so overwhelming that it would not be unusual to spot an article about events in other countries in any user's Facebook feed. Additionally, Singaporeans spend 2 hours 30 minutes on social media platforms daily. Since Singaporeans spend a significant portion of their time on social media platforms, the chances of them coming across and reading news about events in other countries increases. Many people spontaneously come across news articles on Facebook and decide to read it, as compared to local newspapers, where a certain degree of premeditation is needed to purchase them beforehand, or make a conscientious effort to go out and purchase it. The fact that Facebook can be used anywhere if the user has mobile data - the train, waiting in line for food, or even a short break - makes it very accessible and attractive to users, as compared to local newspapers, where it may be difficult to open up a whole newspaper and read it when squeezed between people from all sides as newspapers are usually big and cumbersome. Hence, there are many reasons why Singaporeans would use social media platforms as a source of news for events around the world as compared to local newspapers, and why 50.7% of respondents considered social media as a source of news for events in other countries as compared to 49.3% for local newspapers (Table 6).
However, the 1.4% difference between the percentage for the number of respondents who considered social media platforms as a source of news for events around the world (50.7%) as compared to those who considered local newspapers a source of news for events (49.3%) around the world is very slim, as local newspapers have many merits too. The news articles in local newspapers are generally more in-depth, as there are many professionals working behind the scenes to write the articles. The news articles on social media platforms are also mostly provided by actual newspapers publishers like The Straits Times and The Huffington Post. They gain most of their revenue from the actual newspaper itself, not the virtual articles, so they would put in more effort on the actual newspapers. There is also a wider variety of news articles about events around the world in local newspapers as compared to articles on social media platforms. Newspapers published everyday tend to be thick and filled with both major and minor articles, whereas news articles on social media platforms tend to be about the major events that catch users' eyes. Many would consider omitting or cutting down the number of news articles reporting minor events on social media platforms, as they are not as newsworthy as compared to major events, leading users to be less likely to click on the article. Also, most local newspapers have been around for a long time and have a large and loyal customer base who consistently believe in the quality of the particular newspaper and purchase those newspapers regularly. For example, the most popular and well-known local newspaper, The Straits Times, has been around since 1845 and this year marks its 170th year. Comparatively, the top social media platform considered a source of news, Facebook, has only been around for 11 years.
From this, it is possible to notice a trend: Singaporeans generally read news about events in other countries on social media platforms more frequently as compared to on local newspapers. The reason for this can be because of a combination of factors, including the readily available news reports/segments on social media platforms like Facebook, and the amount of time Singaporeans spend on social media platforms. Using the example of Facebook, many media organisations such as The Straits Times and TIME have official Facebook accounts which they use to post news articles about events around the world. Since there are so many media organizations using Facebook, the sheer number of posts on events around the world can be so overwhelming that it would not be unusual to spot an article about events in other countries in any user's Facebook feed. Additionally, Singaporeans spend 2 hours 30 minutes on social media platforms daily. Since Singaporeans spend a significant portion of their time on social media platforms, the chances of them coming across and reading news about events in other countries increases. Many people spontaneously come across news articles on Facebook and decide to read it, as compared to local newspapers, where a certain degree of premeditation is needed to purchase them beforehand, or make a conscientious effort to go out and purchase it. The fact that Facebook can be used anywhere if the user has mobile data - the train, waiting in line for food, or even a short break - makes it very accessible and attractive to users, as compared to local newspapers, where it may be difficult to open up a whole newspaper and read it when squeezed between people from all sides as newspapers are usually big and cumbersome. Hence, there are many reasons why Singaporeans would use social media platforms as a source of news for events around the world as compared to local newspapers, and why 50.7% of respondents considered social media as a source of news for events in other countries as compared to 49.3% for local newspapers (Table 6).
However, the 1.4% difference between the percentage for the number of respondents who considered social media platforms as a source of news for events around the world (50.7%) as compared to those who considered local newspapers a source of news for events (49.3%) around the world is very slim, as local newspapers have many merits too. The news articles in local newspapers are generally more in-depth, as there are many professionals working behind the scenes to write the articles. The news articles on social media platforms are also mostly provided by actual newspapers publishers like The Straits Times and The Huffington Post. They gain most of their revenue from the actual newspaper itself, not the virtual articles, so they would put in more effort on the actual newspapers. There is also a wider variety of news articles about events around the world in local newspapers as compared to articles on social media platforms. Newspapers published everyday tend to be thick and filled with both major and minor articles, whereas news articles on social media platforms tend to be about the major events that catch users' eyes. Many would consider omitting or cutting down the number of news articles reporting minor events on social media platforms, as they are not as newsworthy as compared to major events, leading users to be less likely to click on the article. Also, most local newspapers have been around for a long time and have a large and loyal customer base who consistently believe in the quality of the particular newspaper and purchase those newspapers regularly. For example, the most popular and well-known local newspaper, The Straits Times, has been around since 1845 and this year marks its 170th year. Comparatively, the top social media platform considered a source of news, Facebook, has only been around for 11 years.
The Role of Social Media in Spreading News
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS INVOLVEMENT in spreading news on events in other countries is growing, and can be seen through Table 7, where the highest percentage of respondents, 15.8%, found that 70% of the news they read came from social media platforms. However, when the other results are taken into consideration, it is reflected that Singaporeans read an average of 55.8% of the news they read about other countries on social media platforms.
This figure is a lot higher than what it would have been years ago. The first social media platform, called Bulletin Board System (BBS) was created only in the 1970s. Furthermore, it was very restricted by long distance calling rates, and thus was only a platform between locals. As such, any spreading of news would only be about and between the local community, not in other countries around the world. This social media platform was created in the early days of computers. Since not many Singaporeans had computers at in their homes at that time, it was highly unlikely that they used this social media platform at that time. The Internet only really started playing a big part in human lives in the mid-1990s, and the first social media platform that fulfilled the modern definition of "social media platform" was only created in 1995.
Working on this assumption, it is possible to note the rapid growth and development of transfer of news about events in other countries on social media platforms. In 20 years, the transfer of news about events in other countries on social media jumped from practically 0% to 55.8%, an impressing jump. This shows that social media plays an important role in the transfer of information and news from one country to another.
This figure is a lot higher than what it would have been years ago. The first social media platform, called Bulletin Board System (BBS) was created only in the 1970s. Furthermore, it was very restricted by long distance calling rates, and thus was only a platform between locals. As such, any spreading of news would only be about and between the local community, not in other countries around the world. This social media platform was created in the early days of computers. Since not many Singaporeans had computers at in their homes at that time, it was highly unlikely that they used this social media platform at that time. The Internet only really started playing a big part in human lives in the mid-1990s, and the first social media platform that fulfilled the modern definition of "social media platform" was only created in 1995.
Working on this assumption, it is possible to note the rapid growth and development of transfer of news about events in other countries on social media platforms. In 20 years, the transfer of news about events in other countries on social media jumped from practically 0% to 55.8%, an impressing jump. This shows that social media plays an important role in the transfer of information and news from one country to another.
Final Observations Regarding Social Media & Local Newspapers
FROM THE RESULTS, WE have observed that the amount of news about other countries Singaporeans gain from social media platforms peaked at 70%. 14.4% of Singaporeans surveyed read 80% of news about events in other countries from social media platforms, while this stood at 11.6% of Singaporeans for 90%, and only 3.4% (the lowest figure out of all ten options) of Singaporean surveyed read of the news about events in other countries on social media. Along with this, 32.9% of respondents read news about events around the world on social media daily as compared to the 11.6% who read local newspapers daily, an increase of 21.3%. Also, 11% of respondents did not read news about events in other countries on social media platforms, while but the figure stood at 13.7% for local newspapers. This shows that while it is possible for social media to play a major role in the spreading of news about events in other countries, it is unable to fully take over the role of traditional and alternative forms of transference of news - newspapers. However, it is an undeniable fact that news on social media reaches a wider audience in Singapore than news on local newspapers. In other words, the use of social media increases Singaporeans' knowledge of events happening in countries apart from Singapore faster than as compared to local newspapers. And, social media is more effective in helping Singaporeans become more aware of events around the world as compared to local newspapers.
Shortcomings of the Research
ONE SHORTCOMING OF THE research is that all the results we have obtained came from a total of 146 people. This is only approximately 0.003% of the population of Singapore, which is 5,469,724, as of 2014. Our hypothesis is that the use of social media increases Singaporeans' knowledge of events happening in countries apart from Singapore faster than as compared to local newspapers. As the number of people who we have obtained information from only totals up to a meager 146, this means that the number of test subjects used in our research is not adequate for us to reach a conclusion for Singapore, the country as a whole.
Another shortcoming of the research is that the people we have surveyed mostly come from a certain age group, which ranges from ages 13 to 18. Though we have data collected from a variety of age groups, there is an imbalance of the percentages of age groups we have collected data from. We do not have much data collected from other age groups, such as people that fall in the 20s to 50s. Our conclusion is mostly based off the views of the younger generation and not those of the older generation. In turn, this makes our research less accurate as the population of Singapore is not solely made up of youths.
Possible extensions
A POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF our project would be to find out the difference between news provided on social media compared to news provided on local newspapers. Certain local newspapers such as The Straits Times and TODAY have online news platforms as well such as through websites and social media. People have to pay to get the hard copy of the newspapers while the news is free online. This leads us to ask the following questions: Is the content of the printed newspaper being compromised? Other than convenience sake, why is social media still a choice platform for reading news on?