Who am I interacting with online?
When you think of the online community, who do you think spends the most time online? The tech saavy Generation Y? Wrong. Digital Inequality: Differences in Young Adults’ Use of the Internet says that 29-59 use the internet more often, mostly for research. The younger demographic tend to use the internet for more recreational purposes, but middle-aged adults may being finding a place in that also.
A 2008 Technorati Report highlights the state of the blogosphere. 36% of bloggers are 25-34 and the 35-44 age group accounts for 27% of all bloggers. When getting your company’s name out in social media world, it is important to take these statistics into account.
Additionally, an article in Advertising Age discusses how parents are now finding their place in social media. The article, Technology No Longer Kids Stuff by Beth Snyder Bulik, notes how moms use social media for themselves first and to check on their children second ( I can account to this, my mom recently got a Facebook and calls me with questions on how to use it…”Annie, how do I send an e-mail through Facebook?”).
Moms are looking for their place in the internet also. They join niche groups, search for information, e-mail, and read blogs. 40% of moms also read their children’s blogs.
Why does this matter? Well, social media are used by older audiences also. Don’t be afraid to offer forums and blogs for products that are directed toward middle-aged audiences. It can still be effective as long as it is relevant and user-friendly!
~ by Annie Blewett on February 28, 2009.
Posted in Online Demographics, Social Media in Public Relations
Tags: Facebook, Internet Users, Social Media
This is a great article that highlights the importance of not forgetting about the middle aged internet user that is so often overlooked by younger people. Initially I couldn’t believe the proportion of users who were in this age group but on further analysis it makes a lot of sense seeing that these are the people who are most often by a computer, be it at work or while the kids are at school. As broadband develops across this country in the next couple of years I think the world of blogging and social networks will increase at an unheard of rate compared to anything witnessed before. I believe these social networks will one day connect every person in the world together and change the face of our planet, politically and economically. Hopefully for the better. Great article Annie!
These are great resource that you found, annie! I think it’s really interesting how social media can interact with all age groups, interest groups, and just wide range of publics. And as David said earlier, the world of blogging and social networks will increase in the future to develop something better. I’m curious how social media will change in the future to better the interactivity between corporations and their publics.
Annie,
Great post! I agree that the range of demographics of online users is rapidly changing. When I think of Internet users, I mostly think of a younger generation, who use new social media tools to interact and participate in online conversation. As the technologies of Web 2.0 evolve, professionals, working parents, and older adults are becoming more engaged in social media.
I found it very interesting that those who are middle-aged use the Internet mostly for research. I don’t engage in research daily, and use the Internet for social networking and quick communication.
Everyone is beginning to find his or her niche group and interest online.