The Internet grows in terms of users everyday. By the hundreds, thousands and even billions platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare are being seen by more people as useful ways to consume and share media. However, this social media craze isn’t just for the kids anymore.
A new study from Pew Internet found that between April 2009 and May 2010, social networking site usage grew 88 per cent among participants aged 55-64, and that the 65 and older group’s social networking presence grew 100 per cent in the same time frame.
While the younger generation continues to dominate social networking usage the data clearly shows that their usage only grew 13 per cent during the year covered by the report.
So what is causing the shift? And will the older generations continue to climb in social networking adoption, or will they eventually peter out?
1. Family
Everyone has a desire to stay connected to their friends and family. If your children or grandchildren are using Facebook then you are more likely to use it yourself, to stay in touch. And guess what – you might find some of your friends are doing the same.
2. Youth
No one likes to get old (not really), and certainly no one likes to be left behind. Social networking may not be as scary as it first appeared to older generations and as it becomes more mainstream it has been more easily adopted by them.
3. Value
The early stages of social networking may have been easily dismissed by today’s older generation as not having much value. However as more marketers see this demographic growing online, there is more and more areas that provide value and engagement.
While email sill dominates communication for the 50 plus age range, we must consider that this, as most things do, will change.
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