Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 2018, Vol. 95(1) 142–168 © 2017 AEJMC Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1077699016685558 http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jmq Science Blogs, Environmental Advocacy, and Youth News Repertoire Science in the Social Media Age: Profiles of Science Blog Readers Paige Brown Jarreau 1 and Lance Porter 1 Abstract Science blogs have become an increasingly important component of the ecosystem of science news on the Internet. Through a survey of 2,955 readers of 40 randomly selected science blogs, we created profiles of science blog users. Super users indicated reading science blogs for a wide range of reasons, including for community- seeking purposes. One-way entertainment users indicated reading blogs more for entertainment and ambiance. Unique information-seeking users indicated reading blogs more for specific information not found elsewhere. But regardless of science blog users’ motivations to read, they are sophisticated consumers of science media possessing high levels of scientific knowledge. Keywords blog use, science blogs, science journalism, media use Public understanding of science is vital to our ability to address pressing societal issues such as climate change and public health. The Internet has become a leading source of information on these and other scientific issues (Brossard, 2013), with 60% of Americans indicating it as their top source (Science and Engineering Indicators, 2012). Social media have become an increasingly important component of that Internet-sourced science information (Anderson, Brossard, & Scheufele, 2010; Brossard, 2013). Based on nationally representative online survey data (2,145 respon- dents), 84% of Americans rely on a mix of formats to acquire information and news about science, while 31% rely equivalently on traditional media channels and 1 Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA Corresponding Author: Paige Brown Jarreau, Science Communication Specialist, College of Science, Louisiana State University, CxC Science Studio, Coates 151, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. Email: paigebjarreau@gmail.com 685558JMQ XX X 10.1177/1077699016685558Journalism and Mass Communication QuarterlyJarreau and Porter h-article 2017