Friday, May 11, 2018

Facebook is for Old People


Eighth grade English. They are starting their Diary of Anne Frank unit, and as an intro, they had an article to read.

I was drawing the discussion out a bit. I didn't want to give them too long to work on the questions they had that went along with the reading. Students, especially middle schoolers, have a tendency to rush through questions just so they can have "free time" at the end of the period (read: time to go insane and make my job harder).

I mentioned that the Anne Frank Center was on Twitter (@AnneFrankCenter), and considering that they'd be studying not only the diary but the surrounding history and such, they might be worth a follow.

As soon as I said it, I realized the 13/14-year-olds might not be into Twitter. But the first group assured me that Twitter was still lit.

The next class, however, informed me that Twitter was for old people.

To the third group, I prefaced my remarks with, "I know Twitter is for old people..." They wanted to know who thought that. Facebook, they said, is for old people. Twitter, they said, is OK. It's great for memes.

As for the last group, they seemed to be divided. They agreed Facebook is for old people, but Twitter could be OK.

Which just goes to show that they don't even have a consensus as to whether or not Twitter is cool. Mostly, they stick to Snapchat, I think. At least, they will until the next big thing comes along.

31 comments:

  1. Is SnapChat still cool? These platforms sure go out of still quickly!

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    1. As far as I know, although they talk about it a whole lot less than they used to.

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  2. Wonder what the next cool thing will be. I remember when MySpace was the popular "hangout" for kids. My how times have changed!

    betty

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  3. The next big thing changes like the weather. Is there any point in trying to keep up?

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    1. Not really. I wouldn't care, but in this case I was referencing it. The rest of the time it doesn't come up.

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  4. Hi Liz - interesting isn't it ... I read an article about the changes - but of course forget where! Kids don't watch the tv like I do ... or get their news from the radio or tv ... or read articles on subjects and research to check things out ... so this really confirms things ... what next is another chapter to be written ...cheers Hilary

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  5. I love how it changes from class to class. It probably depends on the opinion of whichever kid is the most vocal.

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  6. They're on both and just not telling the truth!

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  7. FB is for old people. hahaha, Yeah, I fit. It's the only social media I'm willing to use.

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  8. Oh wow I'd think they're all on snapchat too though. I couldn't get into that so I just stick with Twitter & Facebook haha

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    Replies
    1. I believe so. I've read articles deriding how idiotic the interface is for Snapchat. It's only comprehensible to the kiddos.

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  9. Lack of consensus is a good thing. Thanks for the report. ;)

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    Replies
    1. It just means everyone is doing their own thing. I can accept that.

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  10. It is a no-win thing, this every changing tech world. I am finally mastering FB and now I find it is for old people.

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    1. But that's a good thing. We really don't want the kiddos messing up our social media :)

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  11. Social media comes and goes. I do have a twitter account. But hardly stops in. Maybe I should every so often.
    Coffee is on

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  12. FB is definitely for old people. Once we let our mothers on, it was done. So done. Don't tell them about IG.

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    1. Nope, not gonna. Of course, you've got to understand that to teenagers "old people" refers to anyone who's graduated from college. Or is over 25. Or can drink legally.

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  13. Yep...that explains so much about fb...I am old! Thanks kids.

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    1. Just understand, they have no concept of the term "old"...

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  14. Facebook is definitely for old people. My son (late 20's) will have nothing to do with it anymore! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  15. I've been fascinated to find younger people from overseas on FB. They are fellow fans of Palaye Royale. ~grin~ Blogging is also aging out. ~sigh~ Be well!

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, the kiddos prefer making videos...

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  16. A good one Liz. I am told a lot of young people aren't on Facebook or Twitter. It's generally the people who have recently joined who are most active on FB, and not many youngsters.
    Twitter is smaller version of Facebook (in terms of how much you can post).
    You are right, I think it's mostly Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp.

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  17. I heard that facebook was for old people a few years ago. I kind of get it. When I joined, it was for college kids only. Then they opened up to anyone. That ruined it for me.

    When twitter came out, I refused to join it. But then I had an internship where they required it. Now, I love it. Sometimes, that is.

    I hate snapchat though. Why would you put dog ears on your head? I just don't get it. I guess I will never be cool again.

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    1. I don't get Snapchat. And I refuse to try.

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  18. My Barbarians aren't on social media yet (we won't let them have mobiles), but they don't seem too interested. I don't FB, but I use twitter a little. My favourite is Instagram (I'm hoping to get a bluetooth camera so I don't have to use my mobile anymore, it just isn't up to the job).

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  19. I think they're correct. It's all Snapchat for the youngies!

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