Teens Don’t Tweet. Blogs are for old people.
As Student Affairs professionals, we try to connect to our students in a variety of ways. A recent article at ArsTechnica talks about younger internet users (11-17 year-olds) not being all that keen on the latest internet trend -- Twitter. On the flip side, what I had thought was the most popular internet communication medium (outside of instant messaging), Blogging, has been slowly going to the old fogies (30 years +).
With the ArsTechnica post above, it makes me wonder: how popular are the student blogs hosted by universities? Are they actually seeing heavy use? I know I read them, but, as I mentioned above, I'm old and fit into the age range of people who are still interested in blogs. I don't recall ever hearing a student mention reading the student blogs at my previous schools (a sign that maybe it just wasn't implemented properly?).
I'm not breaking any ground here saying that Facebook seems to be the most popular and effective way to communicate with our students. I'm encouraged by the fact that more official groups sponsored by campus offices are starting to spring up. I recently stumbled upon this post over at Eighteen and Life (written by Debra Sanborn, who you should all be following), which, while a bit old, brings to light the age-old argument that faculty and staff are often reluctant to adopt new tech trends.
That being said, I am encouraged by the number of my colleagues I see using Twitter and posting to blogs. Sure, our students may not be flocking to these arenas, but I am very happy to see the network that has formed using these services. Fortunately, plenty of the posts out there, and even one #sachat has focused on utilizing Facebook to connect with students. The "unpopular" mediums may not be a hit among our students, but they are a very valuable tool for us professionals.
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February 9th, 2010 - 18:49
Good post (although I must point out the irony of me being an old fogie reading your blog…)! I think there are two sides to the social media issue. On one hand, primarily from a connection and marketing standpoint, we need to meet students “where they are.” On the other hand, all these “old fogies” on twitter and blogs and linkedin are some of who our students need to be connecting with, since they’re likely the people who will be hiring them upon graduation.
So, it’s got to be both — we need to meet students in their space and encourage/educate them about venturing into the fogie space of twitter and blogs and linkedin.
Hmmm, I wonder if that URL is taken… fogiespace.com.
Before you go clicking, I checked and it’s not. Ha!
February 9th, 2010 - 18:55
Great post, Erik. This reminds me of the adage “Don’t like the weather? Stick around, it’ll change.” Each week we are offered a new bit of research on teen usage of social media and each week it changes. While we in student affairs cannot respond to every new trend, we can plan our message and the media to most effectively meet the needs of our students. And if in the meanwhile we find a method of linking to colleagues for our own development, there is value to all.
February 9th, 2010 - 18:57
Interesting that at staff meeting today, the oldest person in the room (me!) was leading a conversation about… Social Media… Twitter, Facebook, Web sites, and how we can interconnect and find our students. Frankly, few of our students are twittering, but they love Facebook and I think we should lead them to these other technologies before they head out the door. And I think Blogs are still in a building phase. We’ll see.
February 9th, 2010 - 19:19
Maybe we should be glad the li’l ones aren’t taking to Twitter. If their Facebook posts are any indication, most youngsters don’t have the knack for short pithy blogging. They are their own audience, which doesn’t require any reflection.
For the few who have 140-character talent, I LOVE to read their Tweets. I hope their appreciation of writing and critical thinking spreads. No matter what media students gravitate to, those abilities will stand out.
February 9th, 2010 - 22:12
There is clearly value being gained on Twitter from professionals in student affairs. Student’s don’t yet see that value, which is fine, and is our job to teach them.
Because Facebook is social, it’s a quick get. People know what to do on the site. It’s easy for us to socialize with our friends.
Twitter is networking, it’s not a natural skill to network, it needs to be taught.
If Facebook is for the people you already know, Twitter is for the people you ought to know.