Boomers Too Old for Social Media? Not a Chance
I like to pass these articles along when I find them, for I remain convinced that social media is absolutely essential as part of the Church’s total effort to use all available means to spread the Gospel and to extend the Church’s ministry to her members. Here’s another one of those articles:
Baby Boomers are jumping on the social media bandwagon at a rapid rate.
Previously viewed as laggards, those over 50 are now one of the fastest growing segments in social media adoption. In the last year, social networking among 50-plus Internet users nearly doubled — from 25 percent to 47 percent, according to a Pew study. That’s compared with an increase of 10 percentage points among Internet users 18-29 years old, whose membership level is now at 86 percent.
And this is no small market segment:
These new “Social Media Mavens” are heavily connected, exploring and expanding their networks, reports CPH Research.
They have more frequent contact with individuals across all types of groups within their social network, not just family or neighbors, but issue-oriented groups and co-workers as well:
- 73% responded ‘People often come to me for advice’
- Not merely amassing ‘friends’ or ‘connections’ they are communicating regularly.
- They also have more face-to-face contact and use smart phones more than other Boomers or Generation Jones respondents (78% responded ‘New technology plays an important role in my life’)
- They are equally likely to be male as female, which defies the stereotypical female profile of the voracious social media consumer
- Of this Social Media Maven group the majority are still working, more likely than the other segments to own their own business, most likely to engage in volunteer activity and to have the highest household income
- Social Media Mavens are more likely to try new products, technologies and seek new experiences. They are recommenders who embrace the role of technology in their connected lives
If you’re reaching out to people over 50 social media should definitely be part of your PR plan.
The dinosaurs are on TV and AM/FM radio. Ask anyone under the age of 30 what they think about AM radio and you will get a blank stare. Praise God for podcasts such as Issues, Etc., Fighting for the Faith, Rev. Fisk, and Pirate Christian Radio. Now this is one bandwagon that I hope the LCMS will jump on with both feet!
Older people are no longer afraid to use computers. Most people are now computer literate. For those on a budget, having a reliable internet connection is more important than paying for cable TV. “Older” people also join social media in order to keep tabs on their teenage children. They join Facebook and become Facebook friends with their children in order to monitor what is being posted.