A recent survey from the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that 45% of Americans in all age groups are enthusiastic about socializing via mobile devices and computers. But 48% are indifferent to social networks and are overwhelmed by gadgets or sometimes even avoid internet use altogether.

A Pew Research poll shows younger adults are more likely to use social networks.

Interestingly, 7% of the survey are savvy a out social networks and always carry mobile devices and yet feel conflicted about staying in constant contact, according to the Associated Press. Pew called the people who feel conflicted about always staying in touch the “ambivalent networkers.”

Gary Rudman, who tracks youth trends at GTR Consulting has seen the same thing. “Who wouldn’t be fatigued, given all of the social and business obligations thurst among young adults?” he said. “With Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo and Twitter, young adults struggle to keep up to avoid the consequences — being left out of the loop or becoming irrelevant.”

According to the Associated Press, it shouldn’t be surprising that quick-hit online communications leave some people cold. Studies of human interactions reveal that our brains crave networking, online and off, but differentiate between the quality of the interactions.

The bottom line is that the Pew study found that respondent’s feelings and interactions with social media was continuing to evolve nearly as much as the platform itself.

Monday, April 27th, 2009, 9:29 am   |   Social Marketing  |  RSS feed |  Respond  |  Trackback