http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/fashion/14facebook.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
While surfing the New York Times online, I came across an article discussing the aging of facebook. Since I myself am a facebook user, I was curious to find out what the writer had to say concerning older users on the popular social networking site. John Schwartz, the author, tells the story of forty-eight year old Amy Waldman who recently joined facebook. When she told one of her friends about it, Mrs Waldman was informed that since she was over 40, she was "facebook creepy."
I think this brings up an interesting point of who defines socially acceptable rules of age limits to social networking sites. From my experience, I have heard many college students speak of older facebookers with annoyance. It's as if they believe Facebook is strictly a college networking site, not intended for the average person. It is obvious that their views of the direction of facebook are not in line with its creators, especially with the advent of regional networks. Facebook is all about networking, whether it be around college, religion, georaphical location, or other points of interest. So why should older users not be allowed to network with their peers? Facebook reported that over forty percent of its users are older than twenty-five and/or are out of school. As facebook grows, college students will become the minority on Facebook, so why not just accept the new crowd? I believe college students should adjust to this new influx of older facebookers. I think in time they will discover that the trend will not affect them in the least bit.
The author also reported on a 73 year old man with over 1,600 friends on facebook. Althouth the man was popular NPR announcer Karl Hassel, this still proves that facebook networking is for young and old alike
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3 comments:
I would definitely be creeped out if a 73-year-old asked to be my friend on facebook. Wouldn't you?
I agree. I don't think its a big deal for older people to have Facebooks. It really wouldn't effect me and its your choice if you want to add them as their friend.
I agree that it is not really fair to exclude people from Facebook because of their age. However, I do think of Facebook as more of a network for younger people.
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