So it finally happened this week.....my Mom got a Facebook. I had no warning. Went to my home page to look at my friend requests, and there was my Mother's face staring back at me. Needless to say I was a little freaked out. But I think this is a great example of how the social media age demographic is changing. My mom is 56 and just decided to get a Facebook. But her reasons for doing so were different then say some one between the ages of 17-21. My Mom got it to stay in touch with me and other three sisters that no longer live at home. Where as the younger generation uses Facebook to make new connections, and also keep in touch with those that live farther away.
I think now that age demographic is changing on Facebook it should be a sign that other social media tools will be pulling from an older generation too. Think back to the chapter in Groundswell that we read about the Alpha Mom. She is a person who is "kidcentric" and determined to find "mommy excellence". Some what like my Mom, this Alpha Moms are getting comfortable using technology, and want to take it to use for the benefit of themselves and their children.So now as I get used to have wall posts from my Mom (of course with perfect grammar and punctuation), I will just look at it as an opportunity to see the growth of social media out of its original target market.
I have noticed this is a growing trend. My mom is not yet on Facebook [simply because she can't quite figure it out yet] but all of my aunts and even my mom's aunt is on...
ReplyDeleteThey love it, because it is a way for all of us to stay connected even though thousands of miles separate us. My aunts check in almost every night to see how my day was....
The only thing that I do not like is the fact they keep inviting me to those stupid applications that we [us 18-24 year olds who have had Facebook for forever] got over a long time ago. They are interested in everything that the site has to offer and it isn't clutter anymore.
I wonder if you kids would want to have two facebook profiles--one for friends only, and one for family. I do have 2 facebook accounts just for the heck of it.
ReplyDeleteI think though that twitter is a much better way to keep connected with friends and family. And you can create as many account as you want. Keep the friend and family one protected so you don't have too many followers.
About the age thing, I never bought that. I am old enough to be your mom too but I've been online even before Al Gore created the Internet! :-) Lots of Baby Boomers are techie too. I guess it depends on the one's career and interests. But I do see those in the 60s and older who might not be too interested in the new media. I know one person who still prefers to use a typewriter!!