There’s been an interesting discussion going on among several NJ colleagues involved in social media discussing whether the younger vs. older generation is better at managing social media for businesses and brands (see links below for Chris Kieff and Kevin Haughwout).
I don’t think it’s a matter of young vs. old, but instead, I think there needs to be a collaboration and coming together between all the generations — as well as between all levels of technology users — from newbies to technology experts — regardless of age.
A timely example for further discussion about this topic can be found on ReadWriteWeb.com from yesterday (Nov. 1, 2010) which summarizes IBM’s videocast “The Social Workplace”, a panel discussion regarding generational differences in the workplace and enterprise collaboration http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2010/11/-expectations-of-customers-to.php
Taking a step back from the generational divide, I first noticed a geographical divide in the use of social media back in 2008 when I visited the San Francisco Bay area and saw how many people on the West Coast were hooked on their smartphones, were heavy users of Twitter and innovators in technology.
In New Jersey at the time, there was a relatively small group of active Twitter users and I saw the need and opportunity to bring our area up to speed to help bridge the digital divide, between old and young, between the techno-geeks and techno-phobes (those who are afraid of technology). That was my mission and vision from that point forward, which led to creating this site, NJSocialMedia.com
One of my earlier NJ social media contacts included Chris Kieff, who wrote the blog post mentioned above, “Are Young People Better at Social Media” http://www.1goodreason.com/blog/blog/2010/11/01/young-better-social-media/
I also met Deirdre Breakenridge through Twitter in early 2009; she wrote about her observations of “The Social Disconnect” in a blog post from May 2009 http://www.deirdrebreakenridge.com/2009/05/the-social-disconnect/
This year, I met Kevin Haughwout (also mentioned above) who posted his response to Chris’ blog post: “It’s the Social Media Age — Now How Old Should That Be?”: http://www.freedmarketer.com/2010/11/01/it%E2%80%99s-the-social-media-age-%E2%80%93-now-how-old-should-that-be/
And all of the above led to my editorial post today.
At times, I feel like I’m teetering on a surfboard, right on top of the crest of a giant wave known as The Great Generational/Digital Divide, as a young Baby Boomer who grew up with a fairly good understanding and acceptance of technology (thanks Dad!).
I’d like to think of my role today as helping others to learn to ride out that giant wave and to help the “dinosaurs out of the tar pit”, as mentioned in my first column for myCentralJersey.com http://evaabreu.com/connecting-social-media-01-13-10/ and referenced in this episode of Desperate Housewives:
But I also enjoy collaborating with the younger generation who have embraced social media, specifically those who have directly and proactively reached out to me to propose networking and learning opportunities together. These young people are the visionaries of tomorrow, who understand the power of connecting with older, experienced resources today — both virtually and in real life.
I believe we all have something to learn from each, regardless of age or level of knowledge.
Generations and technology will come in waves — are you ready to ride?
What are your thoughts? Would love to hear what you think about the Generational/Digital Divide.
Talk to you soon,
Eva Abreu, email: editor {at} njsocialmedia {dot} com
Creative Commons photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/armandoalves/3119906299/
]]>@NJOpenCoffee hosted by @ckieff
Attendees: @joemull @doughnutman @amykoehler @khk2000 @cathyfarber @dfrdesign @JLloydHerman
@NJSocialMedia hosted by @Eva_Abreu
Attendees: @leoraw @banannie @jmediamaven @AHarringtonLimo
Photo credits: Annie @banannie Leora @leoraw Joe @joemull
Music: Halcyon by @ThereInLies
Also see blog post by Leora: Networking: Face to Face Meetings
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