More Adults Using Social Media Than Teenagers, Creating Multiple "Online Personalities"

Sorry, kids. Mom and Dad have taken over your favorite playgrounds. And they're using their social networking for the same reason you are: To socialize and keep in touch with friends.

The study, completed by Pew Internet and American Life Project, sheds light on the sheer numbers of adults now using social media to connect and reconnect in much the same way their children have been using the networks. The numbers are a bit deceiving though, because the percentage of teenagers who use social media is much higher, at 65%. The percentage of all American adults who use the technology is only 35%, but because there are million more Americans who are over age 18, that number represents more people.

The study debunks the notion that adults use social networking primarily for "professional networking." Turns out, just as many of us grownups enjoy throwing sheep at each other as our younger counterparts. However, the study reveals that many adults have mulitple personalities online, which takes the form of having a "professional" profile on sites like LinkedIn and more personal, less formal presence on MySpace or Facebook.

Not surprisingly, the number one questions I get from professionals looking to boost their social media skills and online presence is, "Should I create separate personal and professional profiles?" And my answer is, "No." Here is the rationale.

As we all know, what you say online stays online. Unless you create a totally anonymous account, with no personally identifiable details, your online life is still visible. But what's the point of doing that? If you create multiple online personalities, it's just more work for you to keep up. Social networks can make your life more fulfilling and easier to manage, but not if you have multiple personalities.

Here is my recommendation: Create profiles on Linked In, Facebook and Twitter. Be yourself! Use good judgement, of course, but have fun with it. You can be professional and social at the same time.

Do you have trouble reconciling your professional and online social lives?

Comments

[Michael Libbie]

Yep! So correct! Thanks for the stats and for the rational. Oh...and like I HAD a "social life" right? Nice post