I have a fascination with generations, what shapes them, and how they interact with each other. Reflecting on social media illustrates these well.
As a solid Gen X’er, I grew up in a digital-free world, unless you count my digital watch. It was the early days of mainstream use of computers. My memories include the Tandy TRS80 my dad bought for the family (fun fact TRS stands for Tandy Radio Shack). This computer used the Tandy CCR (Computer Cassette Recorder) to store the digital data and I have memories of storing Frogger over top of my Prince mixed tape. If you are interested, I found a video showing my family’s exact setup. I also remember that the typing classroom in high school used MacIntosh computers. Full disclosure I graduated from High School in 1990. I did not take typing as I was going to be a scientist and didn’t think it was a skill I would need. (I’ve never claimed to have great foresight).
Computer use blossomed in University. My roommate was the first person I knew to use Windows 3.1. I remember being blown away by how much easier it was to navigate than DOS systems. We spent way too much time trying to beat Minesweeper. She also had a fax modem that delivered faxes right to her computer, mostly from her mom. Amazing. I had another friend in California and we would meet at pre-arranged times on computers in the computer lab (using Linux I think?) and chat through text messages that way. This is when the original Emojis were created, although at the time they were called Emoticons. I did not get my first computer until 1997, and amusingly, it was a hand-me-down from my Boomer dad. The same dad that bought the Tandy TRS80 for our family in the 1980’s.
Owing to the digital landscape at the time, social media was not a part of shaping me as a person. My influencers were in magazines, music videos, TV shows, and advertisements. When social media arrived on the scene, I feel this history led me to be more selective about which technologies I tried and adopted. What led me to join Facebook in 2006 was my Little Sister , Jesse, who was using it and I wanted to be able to connect with her this way. It took me a long time before I attached my actual picture to my profile.
Almost 20 years later, I still use Facebook, although quite differently. I still enjoy seeing posts from friends from afar, I do not post very often, but I do comment on others’ posts to keep the personal connection. I generally don’t use social media as a way to stay in contact or communicate with friends and family. Or do I? Is Apple Messages social media? If not, is WhatsApp social media? I stay in touch with friends and family near and far every day with these tools. I would not categorize these as Social Media. I would love to hear your opinion on this!
Loading ...Otherwise, I use social media for recipes, getting caught up in videos showing good people rescuing animals of all kinds, but mostly I use it for our neighbourhood Buy Nothing page and FaceBook MarketPlace. Typical Gen X stuff.
Other social media? I used Twitter for news, until it wasn’t Twitter then I deleted it. I have BlueSky for my kids’ school bus updates (thank goodness they left X) I use Instagram mostly to stay in the loop of what’s going on in the world. Although I did create an Instagram account for my dog, dipping my toes in as a contributor. But these posts dried up as it was too much work to keep it going. Sometimes I go to YouTube when I need instructions for something; such as how to change the front headlight bulb in my car.
I am on LinkedIn for professional networking, although I must say I feel a bit backed in a corner for that one, as it would be detrimental for me to ignore it. I have Snapchat and TikTok downloaded, due to the responsibilities of being a mom. I would say that I spend close to a couple of hours a day on social media, mostly for entertainment. Although I do listen to a lot of podcasts (TrueCrime being my favourite genre). Are podcasts considered social media? I guess they could be. I would argue depending on the genre of the podcast. Is it Drama, or Investigative Journalism, delivered and listened to similar to an audiobook, or is it interview/opinion based like Pop Culture or Politics, or Self Help? This could be an interesting discussion……
I would describe my relationship with social media as used for entertainment and on an “as-needed basis”. Overall, I would say that social media has had a positive effect on my life both personally, as already described, and professionally. Professionally it keeps me updated about industry trends and creates new connections. I am not as engaged as Millennials, who grew up with it as part of life. I keep an arm’s length distance from social media and I am selective and intentional about the technologies that I engage with. I believe this allows me to have a healthier relationship with social media. However, I will not say that it does not influence my life. Saying that it would be naïve. I would suggest targeted marketing has an effect, and influencers indirectly through social trends, for example. For example, on Christmas 2023, I purchased a Stanley mug for a friend. Stanley is a social marketing success story.
Thinking about how social media influences the younger generations differently than mine, it is clear there are some obvious reasons for that – I didn’t grow up with social media so I can conduct a daily life without it, it wasn’t part of my childhood, therefore engrained in my lifestyle or culture. I also don’t have a social network that needs to be maintained through social media. It comes down to the value that people place on social media and how we interact with it. Examples can be how many likes I get, FOMO, participating in challenges, or maintaining Snapchat streaks. These things do not mean the same to me as they do to my daughter.
If you also enjoy learning about what has shaped the generations, I highly recommend Rick Miller’s work. I have seen the first two in his one-man show trilogy, Boom and Boom X. Both are excellent and I look forward to seeing the third one, Boom YZ. He also has a podcast called Xing the Gap.