So, you young whippersnappers don't like Facebook anymore, huh?
According to a new poll, released by who else but “experts,” tweens are no longer turning to Facebook, the social networking giant, to connect with their friends on a daily basis. Time Magazine's article “Is Facebook Losing Its Cool? Some teens think so,” generated interesting conversation about Facebook, which is drawing in audiences of all different ages. That wasn't the original intent when it was launched in 2004. As you can tell, I enjoy writing my columns about the many layers and levels of Facebook's existence in our lives. There will never be a shortage of complaints or fairly obvious observations about how people are abusing Facebook – and many teens reportedly seem to agree.
My sister contends that she still uses Facebook, even though Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter and something called Snapchat – which I never heard of since this new report was released – is now the mainstream form of keeping up with friends. At the same time, let's face it, teens don't really have much to post on Facebook. They've only lived long enough to complain about their friends, parents and teachers. Since the networking site is now like a “news” feed for many people, including myself, there has to be a way we can make Facebook not only appealing to teens, but more helpful during their growing years. The new report did say that, as they grow up, teens will use Facebook more often.
Reports also said that teens want a more direct way to communicate with their friends that don't require too much explaining. Sites such as Instagram allow youngsters' social circles to be limited to only those who want to share photos and not elaborate on their lives. I'll admit, I have an Instagram account, which I never use because I only have two or three followers (I guess I’m not that popular). While thousands of teens may have a Facebook page, which they generated before they were even allowed to, it's reportedly “no longer a novelty.”
The older generation joining Facebook is likely one reason for youngsters being persuaded to go elsewhere for their social satisfaction. Here are some other reasons Facebook probably lost some of its flare because of the older generation's presence:
Less is more: People finally have a place to air their grievances, as we know, and sometimes they rant on, and on, about something that happened to them at work or while they were shopping. Tweens might not want to go through a news feed of long stories told by their family members. Some kids already roll their eyes when they're told a “war story” that has nothing to do with their lives.
The “cute” factor is not cool: Rather than getting comments from their friends and family about a photo posting – which could go on for days – it seems most teens just want to express themselves and move on. When you're friends with your grandpa and your uncle and he sees a cute photo that he can't help himself but comment on, suddenly, it's not so “cool” to be Facebook friends with all these family members. Adults: do you even understand Instagram or feel provoked to “tweet” on Twitter? Didn’t think so...
You're uninvited to send an invite: Now that adults, and organizations of which pages they “like”, have a wider arena to go public, feeds aren't simple anymore. Kids are no longer going on Facebook just to check out what their classmates are doing (although this was their original plan). They might be getting unnecessary invites for games and events from that one aunt, uncle or cousin. If you're annoyed at fake notifications from people wanting to add you to their “birthday list,” teens who simply want to do their own thing have to contend with all of these alerts that have nothing to do with their social life.
There's no shortage of boredom on Facebook: If you had a Facebook page in 2006 through at least 2009, you might remember all of those dumb quizzes that your friends/family asked you to partake in. With quizzes like “What Type Of Mushroom Are You?” and “If You Could Be An Egg, How Would You Be Cooked?” everyone's life seemed to depend on the menial details of some made up social exam. Plus, how many things going on on Facebook can youngsters relate to? Are they really interested in what's going on with their elders? Sometimes, just being able to post a photo for your friends, who you're close to, is impossible when hundreds of other distant contacts meddle in your business, too.
Reveling In Your Anonymity: On sites like Instagram and Twitter, you don't even have to use your real name or information. While I personally don't mind being found – even as a professional by random people who may have useful things to share – youngsters don't want to be overwhelmed by having to share their education and residence with friends who already know their basic information. Is it really anyone's business anyway? Most adults want to be found and have no problem showing links to their history, but teens might be onto something when it comes to remaining private.
No Shortage of Useless Connections: The best part of being on Facebook, for me, is being able to use social networking for the good of my career. I wouldn't find out about many events going on in Canarsie and the surrounding area if it weren't for posts on Facebook. Personally, the contacts I've made on the site generated many story ideas and sharing information with organizations in our community has helped me pursue events that, in the past, have gone unnoticed. For teens, however, making friends with their teachers - or past teachers – might not get them anywhere.
Adults Can Be Annoying: It's true. Even I can admit that I'm tired of seeing re-posts of those signs and jokes about people getting old or what it was like “back in my day.” As the older crowd gets the hang of social networking, they're sharing things that the younger generation may not have an interest in. There's a notable detachment – or disconnect – that teens have from adults that's emphasized through social networking. We're all busy sharing links and other people's posts (and once again, those annoying game posts), while teens seem to value what's immediately going on in their lives.
No matter how many teens/tweens have their own Facebook page, and no matter how many of them actually use it on a daily basis, there’s always going to be “underground” means of getting away from adults. On second thought, don’t you envy them?
No comments:
Post a Comment