A new survey from Anderson Analytics examines how different generations are using social networking Web sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn. For example, the survey found that the top reasons for joining a social network across all generations is to keep in touch with friends or for fun. But the study also found that the older a user, the more likely they are to be a Facebook or Twitter user.
The survey also found that Generation Z users (13 or 14 years old) use MySpace and Facebook more than any other Web site, with Facebook ranking slightly below MySpace in popularity (61 percent to 65 percent, respectively). Nine percent of these younger users use Twitter, while none use LinkedIn, the survey found.
Three-quarters of Generation Y users (age 15 to 29) use MySpace, 65 percent use Facebook, 14 percent use Twitter and 9 percent use LinkedIn. This compares to Generation X (age 30 to 44) and baby boomers (age 44 to 65), who use LinkedIn more than any other demographic.
Brittany Ballenstedt
Brittany Ballenstedt writes Nextgov's Wired Workplace blog, which delves into the issues facing employees who work in the federal information technology sector. Before joining Nextgov, Brittany covered federal pay and benefits issues as a staff correspondent for Government Executive and served as an associate editor for National Journal's Technology Daily. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Mansfield University and originally hails from Pennsylvania. She currently lives near Travis Air Force Base, Calif., where her husband is stationed.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Nextgov does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.