An article in ReadWriteWeb recently highlighted the changing demographics in one social media platform: Facebook.

Summary: “ College and high school users have declined in absolute number by 20% and 15% respectively in a mere six months, according to estimates Facebook provides to advertisers  that were archived for tracking by an outside firm. Facebook users aged 55 and over have skyrocketed from under 1 million to nearly six million in the same time period. There are more Facebook users over 55 years old today than there are high school students using the site”

The graphic below demonstrates the shift that has occurred.

Out take: For those that are marketing products aimed at the older demographic don’t dismiss social media platforms as only appealing to the young.  These platforms should be utilised to talk to that segment that:

(a) have time for social networking

(b) may have physical ailments and hence the platform has great appeal

(c) many of them probably started out on the platform to communicate with family members overseas but saw additional benefits along the way.

Are you dismissing the appeal of social media for this demographic? It might just be time to take another look.

Article of relevance:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/health/02face.html