Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.

Facebook’s popularity with teenagers is directly tied to family incomes

$30,000

Facebook may be losing its foothold with American teenagers, but a clear division emerges when household incomes factor into the audience.

Published   |  Photo by Reuters/ Eric Thayer
Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.
$30,000

According to the Pew Research Center, the share of teens on Facebook fell 20% over three years. Only one-third of kids from families with higher incomes said they are on Facebook.

Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.
$30,000

On the opposite side, Facebook’s teen audience doubles in low-income families. For US households that make less than $30,000 a year, 70% of teens remain active Facebook users.

Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.
$30,000

A large share of low-income teens in the US say they use Facebook

Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.
$30,000

It’s easy to speculate why: Instagram was still known as the platform where seemingly rich kids show off their private jets and exotic vacations, and Snapchat used up a lot of data.

Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.
$30,000

Facebook may have felt exclusionary in its early days, but today it’s more of a public utility—and those who need it take advantage.

Students set up their donated laptop computers on the first day of school at Joplin High School in Joplin, Missouri August 17, 2011.
$30,000

Facebook hasn’t said much about the income disparity in Pew’s research. A spokesperson said it was one of many studies showing the advantage of a free, ad-based service.

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