Are You Becoming Obsolete?

Are You Becoming Obsolete?

Last month I was speaking to a group of about 40 women in Ohio – really bright, committed, caring, smart parents of teenagers. They were an impressive group. And I asked them “How many of you are on Facebook?” Seven women raised their hands. Seven out of 40. I think that is a really low number.

At my book group meeting last night, consisting of 7 very sharp women, Facebook came up again. Most of these gals stated they don’t have the interest or the time to get “sucked in” to Facebook. And they don’t see the value; they wonder what the fuss is all about.

I understand. I get it that this can be a time drain, and nobody has an excess of time. But, step back for a minute and consider the fundamental ways that the internet is changing our communication. It’s okay if you are not on Facebook, but it is important that you stay relatively current with your use of new technologies. Because if you don’t, you are allowing a dangerous media gap to exist between you and your teens. You can’t guide them well if you don’t know how to do what they are doing on the web.

It is probable that you are participating in new technologies more than you know. In Groundswell; Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies, Forrester Research experts Li and Bernoff say that in 2008 social technology adoption increased from 56% in 2007 to 75%. What exactly are they referring to as “social technologies?”

Watching online video,
reading online reviews,
voting and commenting,
participating in online forums or discussion groups,
sharing photos online,
reading and commenting on blogs…
and visiting and participating in social networking sites.

It may be helpful to consider Facebook* as being just another simple step on a continuum of two-way communication online. You should know there are social networks for Weight watchers, firefighters, Ellen DeGeneres fans, veterans and much more. One easy place to poke around is at www.ning.com where there are many social networking sites through which you can peruse.

Accept this challenge: make a commitment to spend time getting familiar with a new technology application or tool this week. And then keep at it – don’t allow yourself to become obsolete.

*An enterprising lecturer at Stamford is running a hands-on class for parents. If you don’t live near there you may be interested in his blog or newsletter.
http://facebookforparents.org/