More mid-life social media!
Twitter? Blogging? Hashtags? Re-posts? When you hear these words and are under 40 (generally speaking) I am sure you have a good understanding of what they mean. Even if a new term or acronym pops up you can work it out or continue following the conversation without feeling completely alienated, I’m sure.
Now, by and large if you are 40+ this may not be the case. It can often be brushed off as a bit of a joke, but I think this reaction is really down to (dun dun dun...) fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of feeling redundant, fear of sounding or looking silly... saying or asking the wrong thing. But don’t we all suffer from this a little when it comes to new technology?
Just imagine being someone of a marginally older generation who has opted out of the smart phone, social media generation. The whole thing would drive you made; it is not only on every single smart phone you encounter, but its referred to everywhere - newspapers, radio, television, at gigs, football matches, the gym, public transport... it invades our lives. This fast moving train was not slow for long and there seems to be an attitude of ‘you’re on it or you’re not.’
I am not saying this is a conscious choice and we should now walk around with our heads hung (in shame and not to stare at our phones!) but to be aware of this and what it is doing in the ‘real world’.
Why is this so common? I don’t consider 40 as old; most of our parents have a laptop, can email, maybe even Skype? So why when it comes to social media do they draw a blank? Is it because they feel it doesn’t affect them or maybe they find it a bit pointless?
Facebook, probably the most user-friendly and well-known, still only attracts a small percentage of users over 35.
As social media is becoming so essential within many sectors of the business and extended world, are we not excluding a huge potentially useful population of, what could be, fantastic contributors? I feel we are steaming ahead on this social media train but only getting influence from one focal generation.
I say more mid-life social media! And it can start with us, seeing as we have all the knowledge. I ask you to go and speak with your parents about social media – find out what they know. Nine times out of ten they will look at you like you are speaking a different language, but remember to them you are! Dumb it down a little and reassure them that they will not just be bombarded with what Miley Cyrus is eating for breakfast or where Harry Styles woke. Politely advise that there is actually some really important sources of information that you can get to in seconds via social media. Explain that all of today’s politics, education, religion, entertainment, financial and scientific movements are being discussed right now. Also it gives you a voice... Are your parents always complaining about some company or another? Some one they don’t agree with or want to sing their praises? Tell them they can do all this online, get heard or get recognition, it’s not difficult and it costs nothing but a little time. Get them online and search for their idol; show them how fun it is and that it is not an exclusive club.
Remember, social media changes at an alarming rate and you have to be pretty dedicated to keep your finger on the pulse. When a worldwide trend passes me by I feel instantly out of the loop. We love social media, we are a world obsessed, and it is becoming a true contender in all aspects of business and entertainment.
Mostly, I believe, ignorance is key in this particular social issue and I feel it will continue to grow unless we start sharing our knowledge. The best way to reaffirm what you know about something is to teach it to someone else. Get your parents online tonight and show them how easy it is. The market will adjust if the want changes; make it more user friendly and we will get a richer experience all round.
Faye Cannon
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More mid-life social media!
Reviewed by Anonymous
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Wednesday, November 06, 2013
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Reviewed by Anonymous
on
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
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Anonymous
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