The Reason Kids Are NOT Using Twitter
First, by kids I mean college and high school students. Now, I’m a college student and I am no stranger to the internet’s hottest tool, but apparently this is abnormal. The first time I thought about this subject, I was positive that it was an issue of awareness (not so sure anymore). Perhaps kids just don’t know that Twitter exists and once they figure it out, they will jump on the bandwagon the same way they did for Facebook. There’s a clue – Facebook. Almost every time I hear somebody explain Twitter to a college student, the quick solution is “it’s like Facebook status updates in 140 characters and that’s it.” The natural response is to ask “then why don’t I just keep using Facebook and updating my status?” Now that Facebook has changed the game (really did a nice job too…), that is a legitimate response.
As far as the high school crowd goes, I think they are just behind. They were only allowed on Facebook recently and there is no way they would have heard of Twitter this early in the game. It’s also hard to convince a high schooler that a world exists beyond their own. In other words, Twitter is a community more than any social media site and very few high school kids are able to think beyond the community directly in front of them as far as sharing and interaction goes. So, high school kids aren’t aware and are simply not ready to move on from Facebook because they are comfortable. What about college kids?
As a college Twitter user it is unfathomable that people aren’t seeing the value. I read an article the other day from a man that spoke about social media in a large marketing class. A majority of the class had heard of Twitter (or claimed to), but only one was actually using it. It is an isolated case, but brings up an interesting idea.
The way in which Twitter has been branded on the surface does not offer anything new to college kids. Two great examples: (1) “What are you doing?” Assuming a student believes that people care what they are doing, they do not care what others are doing (as proven by the recent data about Facebook as a broadcast rather than community). (2) As stated above, Twitter is compared to status update on Facebook. No sense in updating a status so two sets of people can see it.
It might be time for Twitter to add a more accurate description to the front page. Also, be careful next time you are teaching about Twitter. This applies to business pitches as well – If Twitter offers a fraction of Facebook’s value, nobody wants it. For students, focus on networking, news, and knowledge.
How do you convince non-users to create a Twitter account? How do you talk about Twitter with those that are unfamiliar? Do you care if others join the community or would you prefer younger people stay out of the entire arena?
*Thanks to @hughweber for suggesting the topic – convincing me to organize some free-floating thoughts about the topic.
I had not heard the comparison to Facebook as community vs. broadcast – very true. Another advantage to Twitter is that it is considered completely appropriate and is encouraged to follow people you haven’t met, creating an avenue for networking. Facebook, on the other hand, falls short by using the term “friend request.” Conversation, for this reason, is limited to people who once met elsewhere, offering little to no opportunity to network. “Friendship” is not necessary to follow people on Twitter, but through conversation and exchange of ideas is still possible. Great post, sir!
I agree with the “friendship” thoughts. I do not expect everyone I follow to follow me back. I might not offer anything of value to them, but they might to me. Sure, my ego might be hurt, but I get over it because I don’t follow back everyone who follows me either. With Facebook, you can’t just let someone call you a friend and you choose not to call them a friend. It’s a forced two-way street, even though many of the people on my list really aren’t my friends.
My thoughts? Twitter: Good. Facebook: Baaaad.
But seriously, I agree with your insight. I think Twitter is now (for whatever reason) becoming slightly more mainstream, but I don’t think it will truly be overrun by a younger crowd. Non-Twitter user friends of mine tease me about my Twitter habit, but I think it is because they don’t see the value in it yet. They’re comfortable with Facebook, evident by the fact that each time Facebook changes its look/ feel there is an uproar by users. I think the thing that throws young people off is the seeming simplicity of it. They see it as one simple question with no crazy applications to be distracted by. Once they see the value of it, maybe there will be more of an increase. Or if we keep talking about it publicly (ie the Mirror, KSFY) there will be.
Twitter will become a more powerful networking and connecting tool for learning, influencing, creating an individual brand, and for business and thought leadership. Facebook will stay more social, i.e. friends. My prediction, based on what I’m seeing in the world of advertising and marketing.
Edward,
Thank you for the comment. I very much agree that Twitter is a powerful tool for branding (both personal and business) and networking. Facebook will not be able match the level of community already achieved by Twitter. Rather than connecting with old friends, most people prefer to follow those that interest them. The great part about Twitter is that the community that “gets it” is far more social than recent research suggests about Facebook. Fortunately for Twitter users, the social direction that has developed with Twitter facilitates networking, news, and knowledge (rather than Facebook’s personal broadcast norms).
I believe your prediction will merge with reality in the mainstream soon. Twitter would have died long ago if users had simply embraced the idea of “What are you doing?” I consider Facebook to be the Yearbook of social media while Twitter makes up current classes.
- Scott
Maybe the kids aren’t using Twitter because it kinda sounds dirty.
Do Twitter and Blogs Really Drive Book sales?