It has been a couple of weeks between posts because I was on vacation with my three nieces last week, ages eleven, twelve and thirteen (“tweens” – not kids, not yet teens).  While the week was really exhausting, (made me grateful to be back at work!) it did provide me with an opportunity to learn how the next generation coming into the workforce is using social media. 

My first surprise was that, while the eleven and thirteen year-olds are both exceptionally computer savvy and spend a lot of time on line, neither have even heard of never mind used Facebook or Twitter.  MySpace isn’t on their radar either.  I was instead introduced to a new (to me) social media site called Deviant Art.  At first I brushed this off as a site dedicated to artsy types of people, because its primary purpose is sharing art, but it also offers all of those things that are useful in Facebook – communities focused on common interests, the ability to search for and contact friends, photo sharing, live chat and attracts over 4.5 million unique users a month.  No need to delve into Facebook for these kids, they have everything they need at Deviant Art.  Makes me wonder how many other niche sites are out there with millions of users that will never want or need Facebook or Twitter.

My second surprise was that the very shy thirteen year old is not at all shy on line.  She has an entire network of friends that share common interests in art – specifically Manga.  Brag time – she is a very talented artist, so it makes sense that when given the opportunity to socialize and share with other artists she does.  But I was surprised that, as shy as she is, she puts herself and her art out there for others to see and critique. 

I used to feel young and hip using Twitter and Facebook until I learned that women over 50 are the fastest growing Facebook demographic.  Now that I see blank looks when I talk to my niece’s generation about Facebook and Twitter I feel old and out of touch.  This all makes me wonder how we will communicate twenty or even ten years down the road.  Are we headed for a time when little communication will take place in person, face-to-face, not because on-line is more convenient, but because we are training our children to communicate that way?  On one hand, the anonymity of the web provides a feeling of safety, you can put yourself out there but still feel hidden.  It helps build confidence if used in a positive light, and I see the sense of confidence it has instilled in my niece when she shows me her work – she really comes out of her shell.  But I’m still pretty old fashioned and believe a handshake and an opportunity to look someone in the eye and connect on an interpersonal level builds longer, stronger business relationships. 

Next blog will be back to storage topics!

Related posts:

1. Tech Marketing Lessons from the MA Senatorial Campaign
2. Twitter, Bruno, HDS and Rackspace

Tags: Social Media, Web 2.0