A recent study by Anderson Analytics set out to find out how different generations were using social networks, which have become increasingly popular across all demographics. As they mature, social networks are slowly taken over by the older generations, sometimes becoming the groups with the largest number of users, replacing the early adopters who are mostly younger. The study showed that different generations in the US had different preferences when it came to social networks, with younger users preferring MySpace while the older ones predominantly using Facebook.
The 13 to 14-year-olds – what Anderson Analytics calls Generation Z – are split between Facebook, 61 percent, and MySpace, 65 percent, with only 9 percent using Twitter. None of them use LinkedIn though, not surprising as it is a mostly business-oriented social network. Generation Y, the 15 to 29-year-olds, sees a similar distribution, with both major social networks seeing more use – MySpace 75 percent and Facebook 65 percent. Twitter is used by 14 percent of them while 9 percent also use LinkedIn.
Facebook becomes the most used social network for the older generation, as 76 percent of 30 to 44-year-olds, Generation X, use it, compared to the 57 percent who use MySpace. Twitter and LinkedIn see their biggest percentage in this age group, with 18 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
MySpace is gradually less used, even with older generations, with 40 percent of those 44 to 65 years old, Baby Boomers, and only 23 percent of those older than 65, what the research firm calls the WWII generation, on the social network. Facebook dominates these age groups, with 90 percent of those above 65 years old and 73 percent of those between 44 and 65 using it.
Twitter sees some of its highest percentages in these age groups, being used by 17 percent of the WWI generation and 13 percent of the Baby Boomers, while LikedIn was used by only 4 percent of the WWII generation and 13 percent of the Baby Boomers.
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