It is a common misunderstanding that social media networks like Facebook and Twitter are only accessed by the technology savvy millennium generations. In fact, a look at the data shows this is simply not true. Facebook, the mega-giant juggernaut of the social media world, is actually one of the most demographically diverse of all social media sites. It has super-ceded the niche markets of other networking sites and has seemingly reached out to all ages.
For Facebook and its users, this is not unexpected, but in the general public there is a common misconception that social networking is dominated by young adults and teenagers using gadgetry to get in touch with their friends.
Of course, large populations of exactly these types of users swarm to social media sites, but in no way shape or form do they dominate the spectrum (as seen in the age distribution graph).
Beginning exclusively on college campuses, Facebook was an Internet phenomenon focused on the 18-24 demographic. But from the moment it opened up to the general public, a shift took place. As early as 2006, a demographic shift was in progress that would change the usefulness of Facebook as a marketing tool drastically. Slowly but surely, older and younger users began to pick up the reigns and try their hands in the social networking and media environment. Provoked by the ease of access to friends, potent content, and user created material, all ages began to flock to such sites, pulling their networks of friends along with them.
In June of 2007, Techcrunch.com posted an article outlining the slow diffusion of the average Facebook user. Even then a leveling of account demographics was taking place.
Facebook Users By Age (2006-2007)
Now, mid-way through the 2010 calendar, social media sites are seeing their audiences spreading evenly throughout the global population as they grow in popularity. The power of social media marketing is no longer a growing trend, but rather a well-established commercial and industrial force. Now more than ever, this tool can be used to reach anyone and everyone, with more specified market targeting, effectiveness and reward than ever before.
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