I was recently talking to my dad about a business meeting he attended in which he and a group of 5 to 6 CEOs were discussing a way in which they could all meet in such as way that everyone could see what the others were doing. When my dad recommended that they use a social networking site the others responded with a quick … no. This was not due to the lack of this technology (because we all know with Facebook, Twitter, Skype, iChat, and IM we have plenty to work with), however this response came from a lack of interest in this age group. So, now the question resurfaces itself… what is the generational gap in technology, and if so is it this same this year as it was even as far as five years ago?
I first got my Facebook my Junior year in high school. Before that it was Myspace. Back then it was common for parents to monitor their children’s use of these social networking sites. In my eyes, and the eyes of many of my classmates we were frustrated with our parent’s lack of knowledge of the sites and uncertainty about it. Today I am friends with my mom, my aunt, and even many of my past teachers. So what has caused this change? Originally social networking sites such as Facebook and Skype began as means as connecting with others, however today these sites are ways to advertise, network and even conduct business. So why did my dad’s co-workers dislike the idea of using these sites? Many people associate these sites with the bad press that they receive such as the lack of privacy or the young people’s target audience. However, these sites may just be perfect for the needs of many business people of the generation before my own. As I spoke to my dad about this issue we agreed that there is a need for a “business chat room” that would appeal to any age group in which they are able to gather a group of people to talk and coordinate daily activities and follow ups. I think that bringing attention to these sites may bring positive attention and curiosity about sites like Skype and Facebook so that this generation is able to see the positive benefits for them and their businesses.
As I spoke to my mom about why she had a Facebook she said that she was told to by her Public Relations person as well as many speakers who attended spoke at an Interior Design convention last year. They all stressed the importance of having as many sites as possible because they are free marketing. You are able to connect each of your sites to each other to bring positive attention to your business. For example it is very easy to friend people on Facebook, and from there you can put links to your LinkedIn which can hold your resume and work experience, and to you blog and personal company website. Recently my teacher from my junior year of high school added me as a friend on Facebook. Curious, I accepted the request only to later realize that she was sending a job opportunity out to many of her students it was then that I realized that Facebook could also serve as a LinkedIn, so to say, offering job opportunities. I think that it is important for people from the “Baby Boomer” era to realize that these social networking sites are not only a way to connect and meet with others but also a great business opportunity.
I like how you pointed out that friending your parents and family members do not necessarily mean they are snooping around your personal life. Many of my friends have a dilemma of friending their parents or past teachers that they may have complained about. I hear them talking about parent proofing so they their moms and dads wouldn't see incriminating photos. But what would you suggest social networking sites do about young children signing on and making a profile?
ReplyDeleteI find your topic of choice very interesting and extremely relative. While I've friended a few high school teachers on Facebook, I've rejected friend requests from my dad (a few times actually). I know my father trusts me and is only attempting to become closer to me via the internet but I feel that Facebook is a younger generation's social tool and should remain a private space for my friends and I to communicate. Perhaps I feel this way due to my parents' lack of computer skills. Maybe if I believed they would be able to utilize Facebook to its full potential, that Facebook would be a worthwhile application for their use.
ReplyDeleteFacebook does have a stigma of privacy issues and an addicting nature and maybe I'm trying to protect my parents from falling into the trap that Facebook lays.
I also have ignored friend requests from my mother, aunts, and uncles because I feel like what I post on Facebook is sometimes crude and very unlike the kind of person that I am around my family. Do you find it to cause more good than harm to be friends with your family members on Facebook?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog, because I was exactly the person who would get upset when my mom would look at my MySpace, which she called "OurSpace" She knew my password and had complete access to everything on it, it was the only way in which she would allow me to have one. Looking back, it was for my own good, but at the time I was so embarrassed and mad to realize that she was only looking out for me and what information I was making available to the public. Today I am friends with my dad, grandma, cousins, and many aunts and uncles on Facebook. I feel that at this point in my life, I am completely honest with them about what I am doing and who my friends are, so they all have access to my pictures just like everyone my own age. I think it's a good thing, I don't think it does me any harm in anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of what you said about parents using social networking sites relates to one of my posts about integrating LinkedIn and Facebook. Adults especially those in the business world are using LinkedIn to further business connections and get their name out there. In my post I discussed the possibility of integrating facebook and LinkedIn together and used the same reasoning as you about the older generation using social networking for the benefit of professional and personal connections into. Its interesting to see nowadays older people "friending" younger people. Do they have just as much of a curiosity as our friends about what is going on in our social lives?
ReplyDeleteI also have denied requests from parents that I know as well as my twelve year old brother. The thing that I find odd is that I am sometimes reluctant to post things on facebook because I am worried that employers might see that information. However, there is information that I wouldn't mind non relatives to see but care whether my younger brother sees. So what makes something good enough that you would allow friends and potential employers to see but not other family members?
ReplyDeleteI think you have definitely made an important point here. In terms of what you decide to share on Facebook and who you friend is a very important decision. We have all heard of stories where employers are able to look at someones Facebook and have resented their offer to someone because of what was seen on the profile.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it is amazing to see how businesses have began to effectively use Facebook. A lot of students, especially young teenagers feel that Facebook is purely a form an entertainment, but in reality it is something that can be used to make an impression on someone or even to conduct business.
I think this blog brings up an interesting point about older generations not wanting to use social media at the beginning of this post. Our generation wouldn't think twice about using the Internet and social media as a business tool, but older generations are reluctant to use it, which gives our generation an advantage. It's clear to see that the Internet and social media is a new revolutionary tool that businesses should embrace in order to be successful
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, it is good to hear the perspective of the older generation. It seems that it was not there taste for social media that made them reject the communication idea but rather their fear of the unknown.
ReplyDeleteOur generation and the one below us has grown up with this technology - it was an integral part of our childhoods. I say this because I believe the newest generations have an innate skill for technology.
Now, as Professor Armstrong pointed out in class, the opposition to the newest waves of technological integration all seem t be over the age of 40. They grew up for at least twenty years before the technology we know today was even an inspiration. The opposition is afraid because they have an inferior skill set. But, your Dad rocks for being the progressive CEO!