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from Social Issues
Survey Shows Gays, Bisexuals Use Internet Social Networks More Than Heterosexuals
January 5, 2007 - A survey published by Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs Communications shows that gays and bisexuals use internet social networks in far greater numbers than do heterosexual males and females. (Witeck-Combs specializes in targeting the gay and bisexual consumer market.)
According to the online survey of 2,541 adults, 27% of those surveyed visited YouTube.com at least one hour or less per week, compared to 22% of heterosexuals; 20% visit Craigslist.com one hour or less per week compared to 13% of heterosexuals.
Under the Methodology section of the survey, the researchers noted that 2,205 surveyed indicated they were heterosexual; 267 self-identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Nearly twice as many gays (32%) say there are online between 24 and 168 hours a week, compared to 18% of heterosexuals.
Bob Witeck, CEO of the group said: "We have consistently benchmarked strong online usage by the gay community. Gays and lesbians have shown their need to build and maintain an early and major presence on the web that translates directly into significant marketing opportunities. Social networks also appear to be second nature for the gay and lesbian consumer."
Internet Used For Finding Sex Partners
A study published by The Journal of Sex Research on February 1, 2005, surveyed the use of the Internet by gay males in chat rooms, social networks and other venues on the Net to find sex partners.
Sharyn Burns, writing in "Your picture is your bait: use and meaning of cyberspace among gay men," notes that "The Internet is likely to have unique appeal for gay men because like other disenfranchised or marginalized groups, gay men have relatively few places in which they can meet without fear of negative social consequences."
The author says that studies in the U.S. and U.K. indicate that between 17% and 35% have used the Internet to find sexual partners.
Her study surveyed the Internet habits of 790 gay males in Perth, Australia drawn from a study in 2002. She also personally interviewed 25 males to discover how they used the Internet.
Gay males interviewed used the Internet for a variety of reasons: a socialization tool for information, induction and building networks and friendships; a method of control to maintain anonymity and discretion; a place of safety before a face-to-face meeting and using the Internet for novel experiences, entertainment and escape.
Burns observes: "The Internet provides an opportunity for men to disclose their actual or believed HIV status without identifying themselves and to search out other men of the same HIV status. While many men from the study reported they had seen some profiles displayed on the Internet that indicated the owner's HIV-positive status, only a few men spoke about HIV status being disclosed during interaction in the Perth chat rooms."
She continues: "Internationally, the Internet is developing its own cultural norms, and men who use the Internet are experiencing stronger feelings of anonymity, safety, and convenience than they do in other spaces."
Additional Reading: Medical Issues.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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