Social Media Savvy Knows No Age

There is no argument that Generation Y was born in Social Media; some of us were even sonogram photo statuses on our parents Facebook walls. As strong as Gen-Y is in being social media savvy, we need to remember who still holds court as the most powerful age group on and off the web- The Baby Boomers.  I’d venture to say that there are more iPad’s and smart phones in retirement communities (in Florida, of course) than a few Texas sized High Schools put together.

A few months back I poked fun at the way some Boomers communicate via social networks, and I am in no way retracting that statement. What I am saying though, is that the Baby Boomer generation has, more often than not, a better understanding of what REALLY goes on in the social media world. Boomers take the time to educate themselves and understand what’s up and coming in a world they were not born into. Folks my age are too lazy to absorb anything else, our minds are cluttered enough with the social platforms we were born on, attempting to keep up with the job market, who went where on spring break, and reading “texts from last night.”  The Boomers who have taken the time to learn what social media is all about, understand how it works better than the people the platforms were designed for.

Sneaky Baby Boomers.  

What other generation has the time and money to purchase the devices that most of us spends time browsing the net on? Certainly not Gen-Y who lives on the border of Williamsburg, Brooklyn with 6 roommates; and Gen-X is still paying off their college loans and taking their kids to soccer practice. Boomers have the life experience. Coupled with the ability to overcome nearly any learning obstacle, Boomers have proven to be the most social media savvy. Their entire lives have been focused around adapting, and that is what they do best in stride.

Now Boomers, don’t get all excited at the fact that I am bowing down to your greatness.  Us Gen-Y folks are still on top on the game when it comes to communicating via social networks-you’ve got to give us that one. As stated before, there are pockets of Gen-Y’s that lack understanding of certain channels; but I guarantee once introduced to the Social Apps, you won’t be able to keep up with the reposts, comments, and #hashtag references that’ll enter the digital realm. So to be fair, I still vote that social media savvy knows no age, but I tip my hat to the Baby Boomers who are hopping on the bandwagon (and taking the reins!). 

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