Skip to main content

Social media could be behind less young adults using cars, say Dutch researchers

The development of social media could be behind a drop in car usage by young adults, according to new research. Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid, the Dutch knowledge institute on mobility management, found that people in their twenties in the Netherlands, as well as in Norway, Sweden, the US, England, Germany and Japan, are making less use of cars. They say the burgeoning popularity of social media often makes it less important for people to be physically present, and because young adults tend settle
January 9, 2013 Read time: 1 min
The development of social media could be behind a drop in car usage by young adults, according to new research.

Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid, the Dutch knowledge institute on mobility management, found that people in their twenties in the Netherlands, as well as in Norway, Sweden, the US, England, Germany and Japan, are making less use of cars. They say the burgeoning popularity of social media often makes it less important for people to be physically present, and because young adults tend settle in urban areas, cars are less practical.

The Institute says it is unsure how this will develop over the years and makes no recommendations on transport development. However, the institute expects an annual increase in overall car usage of 1% to 2%.

Related Content

  • Stiffer road surfaces could save billions in fuel say US researchers
    January 6, 2017
    There are fears that President Barack Obama is overlooking the benefits of good highway design following his recent announcement that he plans to impose higher fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks by 2016.
  • Stiffer road surfaces could save billions in fuel say US researchers
    February 27, 2014
    There are fears that President Barack Obama is overlooking the benefits of good highway design following his recent announcement that he plans to impose higher fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks by 2016.
  • Using smartphones when driving is more dangerous than drink driving
    April 20, 2012
    Using smartphones for social networking while driving is more dangerous than drink driving or being high on cannabis behind the wheel according to research published by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) in the UK. Despite this, eight per cent of drivers admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving. Twenty-four per cent of 17-24 year old drivers, a group already at higher risk of being in a crash, admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving.
  • Rural roads important to global development
    April 12, 2012
    Maryvonne Plessis-Fraissard highlights that the key importance of rural roads in the context of global development is only now being fully recognised, is not receiving enough attention and is facing vital new challenges Rural roads have only relatively recently received attention in development research. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or World Bank, moved away from the World War II reconstruction mandate during the early 1960s to start, and address, the "Third World" developme