Life can change drastically in just 4 years. In 2005 I had graduated from college, started my first “big boy” job as a recruiter, was living life with two healthy shoulders, my metabolism was in excellent shape, and my Mom was no where to be found on Facebook. Flash forward 4 years to 2009 and see how much has changed. In December I’ll graduate with Masters degree, will soon be starting my third “big boy” job, my right shoulder has gone through two surgeries in as many years, my metabolism is winning a game of hide-and-go-seek, and these days my Mom checks her Facebook daily. OK, so your metabolism stayed the same, but I bet you a quarter your Mom is on Facebook too.

Attention Generation Y: Please share the road

I have absolutely no problem with my Mom, your Mom, or anyones Mom being on Facebook (I actually think it’s great), just want to get that out of the way. Those of us in Generation Y just needed a few weeks, or months to get used to our older relatives joining our party. For what has felt like years, us Gen Y folk have been poking our friends on Facebook and denying Tom’s friendship on MySpace. We were, and still are kings of social media, but it’s now undoubtedly time to share the road. A video I posted previously stated the Social Media Revolution has arrived. Here are some FB facts from the video:

• Facebook added 100 million users in 9 months
  • The internet needed 4 years to reach 50 million
• If Facebook was a country it would be the 4th largest
• The fastest growing population on Facebook are 55-65 year old females

Now that is a lot of Moms.

Attention College Students: Watch what you post on Facebook

Facebook used to be one big party, and colleges caught on quickly. Many schools punished underage students for posting pictures of them drinking or acting inappropriately. Not all schools were strict, and I’m sure many didn’t enforce policies, but corporate america took things a bit more seriously. When companies began utilizing Facebook as a recruiting tool, they also used Facebook to screen out students who posted inappropriate pictures. Legal or not, it was happening. Graduating students began monitoring what they posted and what was being said on their walls. Problem solved, right? Just when students felt safe, in comes a friend request from Mom, Dad, and Uncle Buck. Is the party off, Wayne? No, but with Facebook and social media growing so fast I’d suggest to monitor what’s being posted. You can never be sure how many, but most importantly who’s eyes are watching.

Attention Baby Boomers: Welcome to the party

You had to know that eventually older generations would catch on. When Facebook opened up its membership to anyone (not just colleges and schools), it became evident that it was just a matter of time. There are many Boomers utilizing social media that possess excellent technical skills and were already using sites like LinkedIn. The second group of Baby Boomers on FB have zero technical ability and have never utilized any form of social media. The second group I talked about surprises me a bit more, my Mom falls into that category. But I’m glad she and others in her generation are signing up. Many Boomers plan to work a bit longer than they initially expected. Keeping connected with their network will remain important and social media will help them maintain relationships with co-workers, old friends, and really anyone they’d like to contact. Welcome to the party Boomers, but watch the ‘poking’, we don’t want you spending any time in jail.

What have we learned?

Hopefully we’ve learned that Facebook is a complete beast in social media. The importance of social media for all generations will continue to increase. Baby Boomers will continue to sign up for Facebook, and maybe one day you’ll receive a friend request from your mom, too. If its odd to you at first, just think on the bright side. Someone will always like your status.

Questions for you:

• What are your thoughts on the generational use of social media?
  
• If you used social media four or give years ago, have you changed the way you use it?
• Which social media site do you use most?