Too old for Facebook?

July 2, 2007 By

Fred Wilson of AVC blog notes that most users of Facebook are younger. Hmmm, why are the New York VC’s always hinting to us old fogeys that we’re too old to “get it?”

I’ve been on Facebook about a month now. I have just about 2,000 friends. Almost none of whom are “young enough to be in college.”

Do not miss what’s happening to Facebook. It is turning mainstream.

One trend that bloggers don’t want to talk about? A number of my blogging friends have seen their traffic go down lately. They assume that their readers are off in social networks. I think they are absolutely right.

Pownce, for instance, started less than a week ago. Already 400 people have friended me there.

But, what do I know? I’m too old to get it.

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  • http://www.jmhelms.com James M. Helms

    I’m on facebook and I am somewhat too old for college. (yet I am back in college as well). There are a lot of people who like to pigeon hole society into seperate clicks. Basically I could care less. For the most part college aged kids could care less as well. If they did care then I guess they can’t be my friend so nanner, nanner, nah, nah.

  • thebadastronomer

    I sometimes wondered if I was the oldest guy on Facebook (42, but worked at a University so I had an edu domain). Not so much any more… but my blog is stronger than ever. It will depend on the blog; someone who reports tech may get hurt by social networks, but unless something big changes there will always be room for a brilliantly written astronomy/skeptic blog. :-)

  • thebadastronomer

    I sometimes wondered if I was the oldest guy on Facebook (42, but worked at a University so I had an edu domain). Not so much any more… but my blog is stronger than ever. It will depend on the blog; someone who reports tech may get hurt by social networks, but unless something big changes there will always be room for a brilliantly written astronomy/skeptic blog. :-)

  • thebadastronomer

    I sometimes wondered if I was the oldest guy on Facebook (42, but worked at a University so I had an edu domain). Not so much any more… but my blog is stronger than ever. It will depend on the blog; someone who reports tech may get hurt by social networks, but unless something big changes there will always be room for a brilliantly written astronomy/skeptic blog. :-)

  • thebadastronomer

    I sometimes wondered if I was the oldest guy on Facebook (42, but worked at a University so I had an edu domain). Not so much any more… but my blog is stronger than ever. It will depend on the blog; someone who reports tech may get hurt by social networks, but unless something big changes there will always be room for a brilliantly written astronomy/skeptic blog. :-)

  • http://scienceblogs.com/clock/ coturnix

    1) It’s summer so all the online traffic is in the doldrums.

    2) Techie blogs have been going down for a while now. Kudos for you guys who invented the technology, but most of us just want to use it for our own purposes and do not really care how it works as long as it works.

    3) I am over 40 and I’ve been on Facebook for 3 years now. I’ve never had as many ‘friends’ and as much communication as in the last few weeks since the apps were included. And you know what – Facebook is driving some traffic to my blog. There are now tons of science bloggers on FB, making groups, communications, starting Causes, organizing meetups and conferences, etc. as well as learning about each others’ blogs at the same time.

  • http://scienceblogs.com/clock/ coturnix

    1) It’s summer so all the online traffic is in the doldrums.

    2) Techie blogs have been going down for a while now. Kudos for you guys who invented the technology, but most of us just want to use it for our own purposes and do not really care how it works as long as it works.

    3) I am over 40 and I’ve been on Facebook for 3 years now. I’ve never had as many ‘friends’ and as much communication as in the last few weeks since the apps were included. And you know what – Facebook is driving some traffic to my blog. There are now tons of science bloggers on FB, making groups, communications, starting Causes, organizing meetups and conferences, etc. as well as learning about each others’ blogs at the same time.

  • http://theblogconsultancy.typepad.com/ Drew B

    In the UK, Robert, most* late-20-somethings are on Facebook. It’s spreading very fast up the age scale and out of the tech-savvy generation.

    *I say most, based on personal research of a large cross-section of 27-30 year olds from a range of (mostly non-tech) backgrounds

  • http://theblogconsultancy.typepad.com/ Drew B

    In the UK, Robert, most* late-20-somethings are on Facebook. It’s spreading very fast up the age scale and out of the tech-savvy generation.

    *I say most, based on personal research of a large cross-section of 27-30 year olds from a range of (mostly non-tech) backgrounds

  • http://theblogconsultancy.typepad.com/ Drew B

    In the UK, Robert, most* late-20-somethings are on Facebook. It’s spreading very fast up the age scale and out of the tech-savvy generation.

    *I say most, based on personal research of a large cross-section of 27-30 year olds from a range of (mostly non-tech) backgrounds

  • http://theblogconsultancy.typepad.com Drew B

    In the UK, Robert, most* late-20-somethings are on Facebook. It’s spreading very fast up the age scale and out of the tech-savvy generation.

    *I say most, based on personal research of a large cross-section of 27-30 year olds from a range of (mostly non-tech) backgrounds

  • http://elearning-global.blogspot.com/ Alexa

    I’m also on Facebook and am late 20something. I import my blog contents into social network profiles and actually get quite some traffic from Facebook clickthroughs.

  • http://elearning-global.blogspot.com/ Alexa

    I’m also on Facebook and am late 20something. I import my blog contents into social network profiles and actually get quite some traffic from Facebook clickthroughs.

  • http://elearning-global.blogspot.com/ Alexa

    I’m also on Facebook and am late 20something. I import my blog contents into social network profiles and actually get quite some traffic from Facebook clickthroughs.

  • http://elearning-global.blogspot.com Alexa

    I’m also on Facebook and am late 20something. I import my blog contents into social network profiles and actually get quite some traffic from Facebook clickthroughs.

  • http://jessrae.wordpress.com/ Jessica H

    I think the main reason why you don’t see as many of the over 20s generation is because of the way that Facebook started. Since it started in college, the way it spreads is from friend to friend. You don’t get on Facebook until one of your friends urges you to do so. Since there are more people in the 15-30 range who are on Facebook than over 30, there aren’t as many over 30 to spread the word. I think it will keep spreading however and you might find the older generations using it to connect in the near future. However, most of the younger generations have more freetime to browse the internet compared to people in their 30s – 50s who have work and children to think about.

    Facebook also helps combat the info overload through more localized information. You can upload blog entries to your facebook account easily and now with apps share specific information more easily with friends. I think blogs still have their place and will still be read, but I do have to say that Facebook can become addicting and suck up all of your time.

  • http://jessrae.wordpress.com Jessica H

    I think the main reason why you don’t see as many of the over 20s generation is because of the way that Facebook started. Since it started in college, the way it spreads is from friend to friend. You don’t get on Facebook until one of your friends urges you to do so. Since there are more people in the 15-30 range who are on Facebook than over 30, there aren’t as many over 30 to spread the word. I think it will keep spreading however and you might find the older generations using it to connect in the near future. However, most of the younger generations have more freetime to browse the internet compared to people in their 30s – 50s who have work and children to think about.

    Facebook also helps combat the info overload through more localized information. You can upload blog entries to your facebook account easily and now with apps share specific information more easily with friends. I think blogs still have their place and will still be read, but I do have to say that Facebook can become addicting and suck up all of your time.

  • http://dbillian.typepad.com/ Damon Billian

    While I am a recent Facebook convert, I can assure you that most of the people on my list of friends are past 30. I think a lot of the other social networks should be nervous…

    One thing that Facebook has done well w/apps: People are more inclined to stay on the site & have fun with the apps that folks are developing. In addition, the apps make it much easier to add things than some of the other social networks, such as photos and things that I like. My favorite apps are:
    Slide, Flixster, and My Flickr.

    From an evil perspective: A massive amount of marketing data could be mined from apps/Facebook. If anything, I think the developers and Facebook should have some sort of privacy policy more clearly designed when downloading an app to your profile. Opting out should most certainly be an option…at least when it comes to aggregating certain data points.

  • http://dbillian.typepad.com Damon Billian

    While I am a recent Facebook convert, I can assure you that most of the people on my list of friends are past 30. I think a lot of the other social networks should be nervous…

    One thing that Facebook has done well w/apps: People are more inclined to stay on the site & have fun with the apps that folks are developing. In addition, the apps make it much easier to add things than some of the other social networks, such as photos and things that I like. My favorite apps are:
    Slide, Flixster, and My Flickr.

    From an evil perspective: A massive amount of marketing data could be mined from apps/Facebook. If anything, I think the developers and Facebook should have some sort of privacy policy more clearly designed when downloading an app to your profile. Opting out should most certainly be an option…at least when it comes to aggregating certain data points.

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  • http://iscatterlings.com/ robert

    QUOTE: “We need an over-40s blogosphere. Andrew Keen was right.”END QUOTE

    God forbid! Zimmer City? No thanks. It must be mixed between all age groups.

    Also, blogging in my opinion is far more robust than we allow for.

    OK so I have called it a fad many times in my blogs and comments but I think the likes of Facebook , MySpace etc are apt to be more transient and open to the threat of the younger early adopters leaving in droves to populate the next new ‘in place’ social network thing.

    Social networks are mirroring the trendiest nightclub scene and you know how shortlived new clubs are! The kids move clubs so quickly.

  • http://iscatterlings.com/ robert

    QUOTE: “We need an over-40s blogosphere. Andrew Keen was right.”END QUOTE

    God forbid! Zimmer City? No thanks. It must be mixed between all age groups.

    Also, blogging in my opinion is far more robust than we allow for.

    OK so I have called it a fad many times in my blogs and comments but I think the likes of Facebook , MySpace etc are apt to be more transient and open to the threat of the younger early adopters leaving in droves to populate the next new ‘in place’ social network thing.

    Social networks are mirroring the trendiest nightclub scene and you know how shortlived new clubs are! The kids move clubs so quickly.

  • http://iscatterlings.com robert

    QUOTE: “We need an over-40s blogosphere. Andrew Keen was right.”END QUOTE

    God forbid! Zimmer City? No thanks. It must be mixed between all age groups.

    Also, blogging in my opinion is far more robust than we allow for.

    OK so I have called it a fad many times in my blogs and comments but I think the likes of Facebook , MySpace etc are apt to be more transient and open to the threat of the younger early adopters leaving in droves to populate the next new ‘in place’ social network thing.

    Social networks are mirroring the trendiest nightclub scene and you know how shortlived new clubs are! The kids move clubs so quickly.

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  • http://iscatterlings.com/ robert

    Forgot to add,Robert says,”I’ve been on Facebook about a month now. I have just about 2,000 friends”.

    Congratuations Robert, I anm certain this number will grow and go on to prove that you are indeed an essential inspiration to us all and also…

    Shhhh……….an A lister!

    Ekk! Yek yek spew, I said the unmentionable. ;0)

  • http://iscatterlings.com/ robert

    Forgot to add,Robert says,”I’ve been on Facebook about a month now. I have just about 2,000 friends”.

    Congratuations Robert, I anm certain this number will grow and go on to prove that you are indeed an essential inspiration to us all and also…

    Shhhh……….an A lister!

    Ekk! Yek yek spew, I said the unmentionable. ;0)

  • http://iscatterlings.com/ robert

    Forgot to add,Robert says,”I’ve been on Facebook about a month now. I have just about 2,000 friends”.

    Congratuations Robert, I anm certain this number will grow and go on to prove that you are indeed an essential inspiration to us all and also…

    Shhhh……….an A lister!

    Ekk! Yek yek spew, I said the unmentionable. ;0)

  • http://iscatterlings.com robert

    Forgot to add,Robert says,”I’ve been on Facebook about a month now. I have just about 2,000 friends”.

    Congratuations Robert, I anm certain this number will grow and go on to prove that you are indeed an essential inspiration to us all and also…

    Shhhh……….an A lister!

    Ekk! Yek yek spew, I said the unmentionable. ;0)

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  • http://www.bloggingsystems.com/ Paul Chaney

    My college-age son is p*ssed off that Facebook now allows all us old farts to be part of the mix. I can see his point.

    As for me, I know I’m too old. I’m just renting space in the Web 2.0, which is a space owned by those much younger…Kevin Rose, Matt Mullenweg, Mark Zuckerberg, et al. Still, I’m very happy to be here and very happy to have a presence on Facebook, in spite of what my son thinks!

  • http://www.bloggingsystems.com Paul Chaney

    My college-age son is p*ssed off that Facebook now allows all us old farts to be part of the mix. I can see his point.

    As for me, I know I’m too old. I’m just renting space in the Web 2.0, which is a space owned by those much younger…Kevin Rose, Matt Mullenweg, Mark Zuckerberg, et al. Still, I’m very happy to be here and very happy to have a presence on Facebook, in spite of what my son thinks!

  • http://frontporchforum.com/blog Michael Wood-Lewis

    Online social networks will come and go, as will users as they pass through various stages of life. I think that our service, Front Porch Forum, will be sustainable… it’s online social networking at the neighborhood level. Most people will always want to be plugged in, to some degree, to their neighborhood. I enjoyed talking about FPF at Google NYC with Robert… http://frontporchforum.com/blog/?p=233

  • http://frontporchforum.com/blog Michael Wood-Lewis

    Online social networks will come and go, as will users as they pass through various stages of life. I think that our service, Front Porch Forum, will be sustainable… it’s online social networking at the neighborhood level. Most people will always want to be plugged in, to some degree, to their neighborhood. I enjoyed talking about FPF at Google NYC with Robert… http://frontporchforum.com/blog/?p=233

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  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    I agree that the buzz has moved away from conventional Slow Blogging and toward HiSpeed MicroBlogging.

    I find the old blogs too slow, too fat, too full to be of much use anymore.

    MicroBlogging via Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc. is where it’s at. 140 character limits is the best thing that ever happened to blogging.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    I agree that the buzz has moved away from conventional Slow Blogging and toward HiSpeed MicroBlogging.

    I find the old blogs too slow, too fat, too full to be of much use anymore.

    MicroBlogging via Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc. is where it’s at. 140 character limits is the best thing that ever happened to blogging.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    I agree that the buzz has moved away from conventional Slow Blogging and toward HiSpeed MicroBlogging.

    I find the old blogs too slow, too fat, too full to be of much use anymore.

    MicroBlogging via Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc. is where it’s at. 140 character limits is the best thing that ever happened to blogging.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    I agree that the buzz has moved away from conventional Slow Blogging and toward HiSpeed MicroBlogging.

    I find the old blogs too slow, too fat, too full to be of much use anymore.

    MicroBlogging via Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc. is where it’s at. 140 character limits is the best thing that ever happened to blogging.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com vaspers the grate aka steven e. streight

    I agree that the buzz has moved away from conventional Slow Blogging and toward HiSpeed MicroBlogging.

    I find the old blogs too slow, too fat, too full to be of much use anymore.

    MicroBlogging via Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc. is where it’s at. 140 character limits is the best thing that ever happened to blogging.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    BTW:

    http://twitter.com/vaspers

    http://pownce.com/vaspers

    I use Pownce to distribute free mp3s of my music, Str8 Sounds and my old band Camouflage Danse. In case anyone cares.

    It was you, Robert Scoble, who led me to Twitter during the aftermath of the Mean Kids/Kathy Sierra business: “no wonder I prefer to hang out on Twitter” re: blog trolling.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    BTW:

    http://twitter.com/vaspers

    http://pownce.com/vaspers

    I use Pownce to distribute free mp3s of my music, Str8 Sounds and my old band Camouflage Danse. In case anyone cares.

    It was you, Robert Scoble, who led me to Twitter during the aftermath of the Mean Kids/Kathy Sierra business: “no wonder I prefer to hang out on Twitter” re: blog trolling.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com vaspers the grate aka steven e. streight

    BTW:

    http://twitter.com/vaspers

    http://pownce.com/vaspers

    I use Pownce to distribute free mp3s of my music, Str8 Sounds and my old band Camouflage Danse. In case anyone cares.

    It was you, Robert Scoble, who led me to Twitter during the aftermath of the Mean Kids/Kathy Sierra business: “no wonder I prefer to hang out on Twitter” re: blog trolling.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com/ vaspers the grate aka steven e

    Age is irrelevant except to marketing research.

    I know 20 somethings who are clueless, and 80 year olds who rock on YouTube and etc.

    Age is just a number.

  • http://www.vaspersthegrate.blogspot.com vaspers the grate aka steven e. streight

    Age is irrelevant except to marketing research.

    I know 20 somethings who are clueless, and 80 year olds who rock on YouTube and etc.

    Age is just a number.

  • http://www.shapeable.com/ SeanIM

    I’m turning 39 this month and have a facebook account that’s collecting dust. I’ll have to go dig around there a bit more based on what I’m reading here.
    :thumbsup

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