The Olds Move
to Facebook

Now that Facebook usage has seen a 276% growth in the age group 35 - 54 years old, kids are seeing their parents in a whole new light. And it's a light they don't want on.

Parents and Grandparents have been underestimated in their ability to learn new skills and to learn them quickly. What was once an exclusive playground, it is now wide open and your parents are on the swings right next to you, asking you to be their "Friend".

"Daggnabbit! When did Mom go on Facebook?"

And why does she have more Friends than you? She's dug up high school friends, college buddies, friends from work, she's a determined hound dog sniffing up everyone she's lost contact with since kindergarten. And she's loving it.

"AWWW MOM! Why did you post that photo of yourself???"

She's posted photos from your high school prom, she's posted photos from her high school prom, she's got just about every photo up there because she bought that one step scanner from Canon. Your mom's gone global.

Do you Friend your parents?

I always cast a side eye to anyone who is under 18 that has their parents on their Friends list. Don't they want a bit of privacy? But what is more troubling is that don't their parents want privacy? Really, there is just so much 411 you want to share with the kids.

The Olds Are Not Leaving

In fact they are the fastest growing segment on the internet, they are here,they got it bookmarked and they are not leaving. It's not just for kids, it's for their parents and grandparents, and that is why Facebook will start charging for usage. Parents understand value, they understand that if they want something that is valuable, they need to pay for it.

For Example

I let you into my house, I let you store unlimited amounts of boxes in my house, I allow you to party in my house, I basically let you take over my house, but I don't ask for anything from you. As a teen raised on free services on the internet you refuse to pay, but as an Olds who understands give and take, they will pay for that extra bit of privacy. Why? Because they don't want you the Kids to invade their space. So get off my lawn and go play in your own backyard, sonny.

Image: Ophelia Chong / Am I Loosing My Hearing?