http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/272/report_display.asp
This article is discussing adults rise in social network use and since we have been looking specifically at young adults it surprised me to find out that number of adults on social networks is actually higher than adolescents. The statistics given in the Pew center article are 35% of adults as compared to 75% of adolescents on social network sites, but adults make up for more of the population so that percentage represents a higher number.
What grabbed my attention in this article was that most, adults restrict their profiles for only friends to view, as opposed to teenagers who want attention from as many people possible. Also I began to wonder if kids and parents were both on social networks, would they be friends? Are parents going to start to monitor their children's Internet activities? since the majority kid's time today is spent on the Internet, will families also began to gather that way? maybe the next thing on the development list is a family networking sight, then you could have Internet reunions, stay in touch with international relatives, and promote family bonding. ( If this comes out, I claim original idea rights!)
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I know several of my aunts and uncles, and even my mother, have started using facebook. It seems that the main reason for their joining was to keep up with what their kids are doing, and to get an idea of what Facebook is really about.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, I appreciate that adults are able to get on Facebook, just because it allows them to see that the world of sexual perversion and predators that the media has portrayed is not entirely accurate despite how inconvenient it may be to have my mother reading over what's on my wall.
It seems like this influx of adult users on Facebook is almost like a retroactive advance for social networking. It has become so popular with youth that it is now going in the opposite direction to reach older age groups.
I think a big reason for Facebook catching on with old people is that the desire to maintain relationships and stay connected with people is something you never outgrow.
ReplyDeleteAdults may not be as obsessed with social networking the same way as high school and university students. Some adults may want to spy on their kids profiles. Some may have been drawn because it is the trendy fad that is all the rage right now. Some may be in it for marketing and advertising since teenagers stereotypically are spendthrifts. But I suspect that the main draw to Facebook for adults is connecting and reconnecting with friends and relatives, just as it is for a younger generation.
I agree with that Stacy. I think a major draw for adults to social networking sites is that there is so much buzz about them among younger groups. Therefore it does offer an effective medium through which to reach those younger groups whether it be for marketing, connecting, or just being a part of popular culture.
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