Most Commonly Used Methods in Mass Communication

We can’t deny that most of the time of our everyday life is spent on online platforms, gadgets and devices. From buying products, food, clothes, studying, meetings, to mingling on social media. We probably use our phone or desktop every five minutes to check our emails. Social media has played a vital role in most American lives, but how much of our personal information has been collected and how safe it is? According to Pew Research Center  “Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused and Feeling Lack of Control Over Their Personal Information. Majorities think their personal data is less secure now, that data collection poses more risks than benefits, and believe it is not possible to go through daily life without being tracked”. (Pew Research Center, 2019)

Pew Research Center focused on this particular topic by using common method data collection and surveys from Americans by asking a series of questions and then categorized groups of people by age, gender, ethic, education and incomes. “Majority of Americans feel as if they have little control over data collected about them by companies and the government”. (Pew Research Center, 2019)

Americans know that their data is being collected by companies or the government in our daily lives. Who collects, stores and what do they use our information for? Will our data be less secure today than it was five years ago? 

The surveys also showed that most have been harassed through social media. The survey research has mainly focused on young adults under 35 and older adults over 65, both males and females. Most females are more affected by social abuse such as sexual harassment or stalking than males. Roughly four-in-ten Americans have experienced online harassment, half of this group were targeted because they have different political views. There were aggressive political debates and people being called names led to arguments.

The surveys and data collecting methods Pew Research Center employs are an efficient way to help us to understand human behaviors.