A few years ago most marketers thought social media was child’s play, and in many ways they were right. While 67% of those ages 18-29 were using social media in 2008, only 7% of those 65+ were engaged in similar activities (source: Pew Internet & American Life Project – Older Adults and Social Media). Fast forward to 2010 and the numbers have changed dramatically. Over 1/4 of all seniors now engage in social media, and almost 1/2 of those age 50-64 do the same. Penetration among the younger generation is almost fully saturated at 86% as of May of 2010.
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Grandma Tweets Too!
Twitter and status update use has also exploded among older users. Between 2009-2010 use of status updates has more than doubled among those ages 50-64, the fastest growing segment of all users.
Some other interesting facts from the recent PEW study.
- One in five (20%) online adults ages 50-64 say they use social networking sites on a typical day, up from 10% one year ago.
- Among adults ages 65 and older, 13% log on to social networking sites on a typical day, compared with just 4% who did so in 2009.
- Between April 2009 and May 2010, social networking use among internet users ages 50-64 grew by 88%–from 25% to 47%.
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Tweets that mention Your (Grand)Momma Uses Social Media | IZEA -- Topsy.com said on 9.3.10 at 3:41 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ted murphy and E Hauck, Todd Miller. Todd Miller said: Your (Grand)Momma Uses Social Media: A few years ago most marketers thought social media was child’s play, and in ... http://bit.ly/aAZp6J [...]
katerine said on 9.3.10 at 4:27 pm
I don't see the ages 20 to 29?????
Keonte' said on 9.3.10 at 6:39 pm
@katherine I believe it's just an error. It should say 18-29.
Martha Decker said on 9.9.10 at 12:16 pm
I am a grandma who uses social media, but I have used what was out there since my early 30's. Yes, I was one of those people who spent $1,500 for a Commodore 64 computer. I even have it packed away. Probably should give it to a museum! Who would have thought how many "older" people, even into their 80's, are communicating through social media. I love it and think it does keep people apart, but causes us to interact even more with each other.
Martha Decker said on 9.9.10 at 12:17 pm
I love social media as a grandmomma!
Nick Stamoulis said on 9.16.10 at 12:17 pm
Social media is for everyone! No matter what the reason for diving into the social media world, whether it is purely for social reasons, or business, social media doesn't discriminate. Anyone with a willingness to learn, can get into social media and do so successfully.