“Facebook is stupid and for old people…”
If you haven’t hear that yet, get ready (click through the image to the right to learn more about one such statement) as its making it way around the internet. I’ve heard similar comments about other platforms which have proven to be wrong. Several years ago students in a social media classroom said the same thing about Twitter. Of course back then Facebook was the Almighty God of online engagement.
We’ve seen Facebook and many other social platforms climb the ladder to success but we’ve also seen many others fall by the wayside during their growth, oftentimes shortly after being called the next big thing.
About a year ago I started hearing not so positive comments about Facebook from students. Comments about their parents or grandparents being on, friends they were friends with it no longer wanted to be friends with, the boredom of doing the same thing every day, after some walking away for a while because of an obligation and never return simply because, “I realize how much more productive I was when I wasn’t on Facebook”
I’ve heard similar comments from colleagues, ranging from, “just don’t have anything left to say” or “not finding anything of value there”. We no longer look in awe at the hours dedicated to spending time on facebook. We look at them with a certain disgust.
The Gartner Hype Cycle says that most technology goes through the peak of inflated expectation and then into the trough of disillusionment. The most effective communications professionals don’t look at this as a bad thing. It shakes out the chaff and allows us to really evaluate technology or in these cases platforms, and determine the best way they should be used.
What’s the next big thing?
I used to get this question a lot and thank you Google Plus for finally coming to fruition proving me right albeit a year or two late. The question these days is similar but has a different tone. I think people are getting tired of what the next big thing is going to be simply because every day there is a new next big thing. Instagram, Pinterest, fill in the blank. And, for those who didn’t jump on the next big thing last year they don’t feel any pain as a result. Nothing ventured nothing gained has a brother, nothing ventured, time not wasted.
If I had to predict the future, beyond what the next big thing will be, I would say, Facebook will go on, twitter will go on, Google plus will go, but each will die a death from 1000 paper cuts. More people will find more reasons not to use them and potential new customers will find the same.
This doesn’t mean that people won’t be living in an online world. Far from it. It simply means they will be using platforms that suit their specific need. And what we know about the world right now is that for as many different people that exist there’s an equal number of very specific needs.
Where to invest money and time
If I had to invest in a start-up I wouldn’t invest in the next mass-market endeavor, I would invest in the niche. A company that solves problems for an identified group whose needs haven’t yet been met. If you’re looking for good example, look no further than any small business offering a community based web site. There are thousands.
The same holds true if I had to invest my time energy and effort into a platform for specific communication initiative. A bit of research will pay dividends. And, of none exists, well, you’ve hit the mother load. This isn’t to say Facebook and twitter might not fit the criteria but it is to say that we need to start looking broader and toward more platforms/communities that fit your organizational need and niche. More to the point you need to start looking for broader and more platforms that your organization can fulfill the need and niche of those who are already there.
I don’t necessarily like that my older family has Facebook. Maybe that’s because I view the Internet as a newer idea and older adults’ presence on Facebook highlights the generation gap. However, my mom always tells me she uses Facebook to check on what I’m doing; she uses hers to find her old friends from high school or old jobs. She’s not online as much as I am but she might find it more fulfilling.
I agree with Nathan’s comment: I use Tumblr/Twitter all the time and I’ve never used my G+. I only made it for this class.
As far as productivity: FB/Twitter are excellent sites that prevent me from getting work done. However, I find Twitter more useful to communicate news. People on FB, in my opinion want to see what others are up to–not read up on the world around them. So I keep the fun stuff on FB and engage in discussion on Twitter.
I used to love Facebook. Like most college students, it was my favorite procrastination tool. However, it has slowly become less and less interesting to me. It hasn’t grown with my needs and interests. I’m finding myself engaging on Twitter much more these days and find it compliments my personality and fulfills my social needs more effectively. I have no interest in farmville or mobsters. I just want to socialize with friends/acquaintances/professionals/leaders in my industry/etc. However, I wouldn’t say Twitter has fulfilled a niche and will probably one day fall by the waste side with the likes of myspace. I shudder at the thought.
Excellent article!! It really got me to think and consider how I view Facebook and other social media. I love when you spoke of “The Next Big Thing” and that people are simply tired of waiting around for another one to happen. When I hear of a new social media site arise, I am not quick to immediately register because frankly, it will be one more thing I become addicted to and waste time that could be better spent elsewhere. (studying, working) I think “Old People” who use Facebook are completely fine. It is the younger generations that worry me. I do not think Facebook is the best way for them to aquire communication or social skills.
I hear the same complaints about FB. People are always saying it is a big waste of theier valuable time. I agree for the most part but my rebuttle is this. If it wasn’t FB it would be something else “wasting” your time.
I don’t blame the platform I blame the under motivated masses.
agreed and if I could I would give this a “like”, +1 & RT.
I hear complaints about Facebook all the time too. I do think it’s a little weird that parents and grandparents are on it now (considering it was originally made for college kids…not to say I didn’t have one in high school, but still!), but I still enjoy looking at people’s photo albums and having longer than 140-character conversations, two things that I can’t enjoy on Twitter.
As far as productivity goes, Facebook and Twitter both eat my time up. It gets to a point where I’m checking both and neither has anything new, but I continue to check it because it’s more entertaining than the homework I’m trying to concentrate on.
I’ve heard lots of people say deleting their Facebook pages was such a great decision because they get a lot more done (in general, not even just with school) and feel like they waste a lot less time. I’ve thought about it, but I doubt I’ll actually ever delete my page! haha
I love my Facebook! I got an account in 2005 and forgot I had it, until a friend of mine from high school found me in 2009. And now 3 years later, I am not sure what I would do without it! I’ve connected with friends and family through Facebook, I am having a great time catching up with them and seeing pictures of their kids and spouses. I am friends with my 75-year-old dad, and like many of you, it did kind of weird me out at first, but I got over it when I realized I don’t really have anything to hide from him and also he’s not on often enough to make it that big of a deal! My 13-year-old son has a Facebook, and the rule was (and still is) when he got it I have totally access. Meaning I can go in and check out his activity on his page at any time I deem necessary(I usually only go in to check his privacy settings). However, recently I went through his page and deleted one of his friends. I even blocked this kid from ever sending another request. Was my son happy about it, at the time he didn’t have much say in it….but no, he wasn’t happy.
Do I think Facebook will be around when my son is in college, who knows! MySpace lasted all of about 5 minutes! The nice thing about Facebook is it’s easy to set up, and despite some REALLY annoying changes, it’s relatively easy to use.
I LOVE that my parents are on Facebook. At first, it sort of weirded me out, but then I grew to appreciate it. I like that I can share photos and things that are happening in my life with the people that I love, with the click of a button. I don’t think Facebook is for old people. I just think that older people have an easier time grasping the concepts, because lets face it, it is super easy to use. Other social media platforms take more effort to learn. For our parents/grandparents, who didn’t grow up in a technologically advanced world, Facebook is just easier to learn. And I think that younger people get annoyed with their parents being on Facebook because they’re still in that phase where they think they’re cooler than their parents. Give ‘em a few years, maybe they’ll learn to appreciate it. And I think Facebook will stick around, and so will Twitter.
I agree that Facebook was once “the next big thing” and in the past year or so, has slowly dwindled off a lot of people’s main social platforms. Where Facebook was once a place for people to catch up and become connected with people from their past, it has now just turned into a place I go when I am bored, wasting hours of my day Facebook creeping people I hardly even know. I do have to say that even though Facebook might not be at its’ peak anymore, I do not think it’s going anywhere. Facebook, Pintrest, Twitter, Google Plus all offers something unique that the other doesn’t.
I agree with most of the people on here. Facebook has turned into a way of keeping in touch with loved ones, high school friends, and also friends that you may have not seen in forever. Facebook has come along way. It has changed a lot. It started off just for college kids, now it has grown to anyone who wants to use it. This is great for older people. It keeps them connected, even with younger generations.
When “old people” first began using Facebook, I think a lot of college students were annoyed. They felt as if they’re online privacy from their parents had been taken away. I know when my mom first got a Facebook I was a little annoyed, because I felt that she was just getting it to be nosey. However, now I think Facebook is a very useful tool for them. My family is from Florida, and moved to Oklahoma close to 15 yrs ago. The move didn’t really allow them to keep in touch with old friends, but with the use of Facebook they have reconnected with old friends, and are able to continue friendships they once had, without being able to hang out with those old friends. Facebook may possibly go from a site that began for college students to connect with other students, and to see what was happening on campus/other campuses, to “older people,” staying connected with friends, in order to keep a little youth in their lives.
I agree with Lauren in the fact that facebook isnt necessarily only for young people, but that it is great for keeping touch with people you don’t get to see often, or for finding people you’ve lost touch with. I know for a fact that my mom(“an old person”) has been able to reconnect with many of her old sorority sisters through facebook. And as for me im not an old person but ive been able to keep in contact with many of my friends from over seas and across the country due to facebook. So all in all i believe that facebook is pretty much for everyone. Plus i really enjoy seeing my great aunt Ruby on facebook. She always says that i look pretty in pictures
who wouldn’t like that!
I think it’s a savvy vs. less savvy internet users.
Those who are more savvy are on Tumblr, twitter have a dormant G+; those who only have a Facebook are likely new to the Internet game.
The value of a Facebook account now (for a consumer)is simply because everyone has a Facebook account. Other platforms have found ways to capitalize on the things that made Facebook great, but stay niche with cutting out the things that were unnecessary (poking).
It’s all about mobile now. Whoever makes the best mobile apps will make the biggest waves and then be bought by Facebook. (Gowalla, Instagram)
Nathan, great point regarding mobile not to mention the shift to continual access. Of course that makes me wonder what mobile will look like in a few years (will we be wearing glasses with a virtual or augmented reality?)
Regarding savvy vs less savvy, I think you are right although we might shift the term to innovators vs laggards (diffusion of innovation-love that theory).
Great to hear from you! Hope all is well!,
I AM the parent/grandparent and I did join Facebook just to see what my kids were up to. Now I watch my grandson too. I mostly use it for the above named reasons photos for family & friends. I am not a huge user but I have a friend (unemployed) who toggles between Facebook & Ebay all day long.
I also agree with Bill about the texting. I started with my kids. My oldest sister told me how stupid it was but now that she has an iPhone that is easy to text with she is all about texting. We will sit across the room from each other & text sometimes! We, the older generation, will follow you young whippersnappers wherever you go…we have the time & resources!
I hate the fact that my mom is on Facebook, so I block my posts and pictures from her. And to be honest, I’m not sure why. Its not like what I’m posting is bad or anything, guess I just want certain aspects of my life kept private from my parents. But Facebook is losing its relevancy to me and I don’t think it has really helped me stay in contact with people like it was designed to do. I think Facebook will continue to be around for awhile, but I think people are increasingly becoming less impressed with it because although the interface keeps changing (I hate the new timeline layout)its not really offering anything new and/or exciting.
We, actually, just talked about this in our ethics class this semester. Facebook is becoming more and more of a problem for older generations as it becomes a more viable news source for the younger ones. I am beginning to get burnt out on Facebook’s policies and overlay of their programming, so I can see the perspective of people or dislike joining entities.
I agree with the hype cycle a little bit, only because Twitter and other social media have created great hype and entertainment. However, nobody is going to ditch the profile enriched with photographs because people LOVE to know exactly what’s going on in others’ lives as well as “creep” on people’s pictures all day.
I don’t like that Facebook bought out Instagram either, but I do know that Facebook is making intelligent business decisions, and you cannot knock them for that.
I agree with Lauren, when I started seeing parents coming to Facebook, I was annoyed. I didn’t want my parents or my friends parents in my personal business and knowing what I was doing. Now, if I see a parent of a friend on Facebook, I will usually add them. As I have gotten older, I still use Facebook everyday, but not like I used to. Now I just use it to see what everyone has been up to, and to look at other peoples pictures. I like that with Facebook you can keep in touch and up to date with your friends and family, but yet you aren’t constantly reading their updates on what they are doing like twitter.
It may seem an oversimplification, but I believe many “old people” participate on Facebook because it is (was) where their children and grandchildren hung out. These “old people” found that Facebook was a way to keep up with the day-to-day lives of their progeny.
If Facebook disappears tomorrow, and youth move on to the next big thing, the “old people” will follow.
Really great point Todd, and we saw this with text a few years back – the largest growing demographic was women over 45. The reason it turns out is they wanted to see their kids/grandkids.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next ten years. More walled gardens or will there be a forced move toward more open platform, connecting one with another allowing true two way communication (not just aggregation outward from one to another) to accommodate the needs of all.
When I first started seeing my friends parents on Facebook I was really annoyed becauses I thought Facebook was targeted more toward the younger generations. However, now I think it is more for older people. It is more useful for high school friends that have lost touch over the years, not for students that see these friends every day. The older you get and the harder it is to keep in touch with your high school or college friends, the more applicable Facebook is for you.