Baby Boomers are flocking to Facebook.
Surprise, surprise. Though Baby Boomers are often considered technologically inept by the younger generation, it is in fact, the Baby Boomers who make up the largest growing demographic on Facebook, often much to the chagrin of their children and younger friends and relatives.After all, what 19 year old wants Aunt Mary posting her comments on his or her wall or gushing over reconnecting with long lost friends from high school on Facebook, of all places!
One young man of a new Boomer Facebook user (his mom) wrote on his mother’s wall, “You’re on Facebook way too much. You’re going to get addicted.”
Should Boomers hang out on Facebook?
He’s not the only one to view Boomers on Facebook with a jaundiced eye. In a recent online article written by Brigida Mack posted on the website of Charlotte North Carolina’s WBT-TV, a University of North Carolina professor had this to say about Boomers on Facebook.
"It's a funny image really I think to think of all these shriveled up baby boomers sitting there keying into their computers but that's, I think that's going to be part of our life," said Dr. Deborah Bosley, a professor at UNC-Charlotte that tracks social media trends.
Some myths and stereotypes of boomers
Shriveled up Baby Boomers? Perhaps Dr. Bosley hasn’t read recent reports that say Baby Boomers are the most affluent group in society today and that they are also much more tech savvy than given credit for.
According to a recent report issued by the Nielsen Wire, “today’s middle aged and older consumers are different than their predecessors. The conventional wisdom that they spend little, resist technology and are slow to adopt new products needs to be re-assessed.”
Nielsen says that “Boomers are an affluent group who adopt technology with enthusiasm “ and have also "shown a willingness to try new brands and products.”
Here are some Nielsen facts about Boomers:
- Watch the most video: 9:34 hours per day
- Comprise 1/3 of all TV viewers, online users, social media users and Twitter users
- Time shift TV more than 18-24s (2:32 vs. 1:32)
- Are significantly more likely to own a DVD player
- More likely to have broadband Internet access at home
Baby boomer are also defying many of the stereotypes of aging, including how they are choosing to spend leisure time and retirement. Find our more about what Baby Boomer trends in the next part of the series here in Boston Baby Boomer Travel:
Read about Baby Boomers and travel choices in Part Two of this series.
Comments
My comment about shriveled up baby boomers was facetious.
you hit the nail on the head when it comes to the doctor. It appears she also missed the reports that Boomers are also out and about more than ever and that a healthy lifestyle, including what they eat and how they exercise is very important to them.
They may spend some time on Face book or twitter, but then they have an apple and a glass of water before going for a walk.
One thing is for sure, Baby-boomers are not a lot of dried up old prunes waiting around for the grim-reaper
I enjoyed your article. Thanks, from a older boomer.
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