There’s a common misconception that social media is a tool meant primarily for the younger generations to utilize. While it is true, social media is used quite extensively by today’s youth, they are not the only segment of the population that has caught the social media bug. In the past few years, various studies have indicated that Baby Boomers who surf the web are engaging in social media in record numbers.
A report from eMarketer shows that Baby Boomer participation in social media swelled to 47.5% in 2009.To put that into perspective, it was closer to 32% in 2008. It would appear that Facebook is reaping the rewards of this social explosion, as 74% of Boomers have a Facebook page. For Boomers online, Facebook is the clear social media champion, as only 13% claim to use Twitter and LinkedIn. Another more recent study from the UK shows that 1 in 5 grandparents use social media, and also reflects a similar proclivity for using Facebook, as 71% preferred it over Twitter and LinkedIn. It’s also noteworthy that nearly 90% of all seniors who use social media use Facebook – a staggering number.
It’s clear that social media has become a vital communications link for people of all ages. I think that Howard Coble, a 12-term U.S. Representative from North Carolina who just this week launched his Facebook profile and Twitter pages, puts the importance of social media into perspective with this quote:
“People know that I am not a technology geek, but I understand the importance that new media now play in many peoples’ lives. As their elected representative, I need to be able to communicate with them, too. I may be an AM guy in an FM world, or maybe I am an analog guy in a digital world, but I appreciate the importance of being connected digitally to our constituents.”
It’s clear that Baby Boomers are flocking to social media, and understand the importance of this new method of interaction. The question is, do you agree with the study? Do you prefer Facebook over Twitter, LinkedIn, and the other networks out there?
