All the Kids Are Doing It: Second Screening as Convergence in Brazil and the US

• In Event: Adolescent and Youth Social Media Behaviors

Abstract

Young people’s use of second screening, a hybrid and converged media process that combines television and a web-connected screen, is becoming widespread in many countries. Through a survey of college students in the two countries, this study analyzes and compares second screening frequency, types, platforms and motivations between Brazilian and US youth. In addition, this paper assesses how the interactive affordances of social media influence second screening on Twitter and Facebook. We find that despite lower Internet penetration, Brazilians second screen significantly more than Americans, especially interpersonally. Results also reveal that those who already take advantage of the interactive affordances of social media are more likely to engage in second screening within those platforms in both countries. We posit that second screening is an extension of interactivity within computer-mediated communication and that this unique audience-driven act works to bridge web-connected devices and activities to television to create a converged atmosphere.

Authors

• Shannon C McGregor, University of Texas at Austin

• Rachel R Mourao, The University of Texas at Austin

• Ivo Neto, U of Minho

• Joseph D. Straubhaar, U of Texas - Austin

• Alan Cesar Belo Angeluci, U Municipal de Sao Caetano do Sul