Is Facebook Just For Old People Now?

As Facebook has grown up, so has its audience. What was once a website (and then app) for teenagers has become more and more a place for people of all ages, but mainly those age above 25 years old. Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have become the new “cool” apps for teenagers.

You might be shocked to see how many seniors are clicking the “like” button on platforms like Facebook. Actually, Facebook’s fastest-growing user demographic right now is seniors. It’s hardly surprising that elders are using Facebook’s services given the popularity of smartphones and tablets. And this is why!

Facebook User Statistics (2022)

Facebook is a social media platform with billions of users worldwide.

What started out as a university network in a dorm room at Harvard in 2004 has grown into the biggest social media and communication platform in the world.

Since its establishment, the platform has enjoyed enormous popularity, with over 1 million active members in the first three years. But is it still the dominant platform it once was in the market? Has it reached its peak yet, or is it still adding new users?

Statistics by Age

• 2.9% of people between the ages of 13-17 use Facebook.
• 18.1% of people between the ages of 18-24 use Facebook.
• 25.7% of people between the ages of 25-34 use Facebook.
• 18.1% of people between the ages of 35-44 use Facebook.
• 13.6% of people between the ages of 45-54 use Facebook.
• 11% of people between the ages of 55-64 use Facebook.
• 10.6% of people that are 65+ years old use Facebook.

As the statistics above tell us, the users from 13-44 constitute 64.8% of the users on Facebook, the most populated group being 25-34 constituting 25.7% while the older population (45-65+) constitute 35.2% so clearly the youth outnumber the boomers. However, most of the youth on the app use it mainly for the features that support creators and businesses. Features like marketplace, groups, watch, reels and so on.

It can occasionally be challenging to discern who actually uses Facebook because of media hype and headlines. Despite numerous articles portraying a “exodus” of younger users, facts reveal that young people continue to be among the most avid Facebook users globally, particularly in developing nations.

The Boomers are the only ones that use the platform for it’s fundamental purpose which is to keep in touch with old friends and family through picture sharing, messaging and video calls. 71% of users above the age of 56 said in late 2020 that they use Facebook, according to Statista data from earlier this year.

How The Older Demographic Uses Facebook

Years ago, you could pick up the phone and call your loved ones, but sending pictures and other types of information could take a week or longer. Seniors may instantly view photos of their children and grandchildren on Facebook.

Facebook communication encourages social interaction and can be especially helpful for elderly people who are non-ambulatory and find it difficult to leave the house. They can establish the kind of deep social ties that are crucial for their emotional and mental health thanks to social media sites like it.

While there are alternative communication channels like texting and email that may be used to exchange photos and converse, seniors prefer Facebook because of its user-friendly interface. Seniors can continue to connect on Facebook in a safe and engaging way thanks to features like the “Like” button, for instance.

Though Facebook has now become a sort of bustling market with so many features (in a bid to ap[eal to sellers and the younger generation), the old folks are still more comfortable with it because they were there for all the changes and updates and have somehow adapted to it. And you know old folks, they’d rather stick to what they know than try to get the hang of new stuff (i.e. Instagram and Snapchat).

Families may engage face-to-face on Facebook thanks to its video and audio call features. Although it is not the only option that provides these features, the older generation is more accustomed to it and tends to stick with it.

Are The Teens Using Facebook?

In August 2020, Facebook launched Reels, a TikTok ripoff that enables users to create little videos. The action was a hint that Facebook recognized the threat posed by rivals like TikTok, a well-known video-sharing software that has taken the digital world by storm and emerged as a popular destination for Gen Z-ers.

Facebook may be targeting young adult users, but it is also making an effort to win over youngsters.

According to a recent study by Piper Sandler, although teenagers used the main Facebook app the least of all social media platforms, they used Instagram the most.

Out of six platforms, 81% of the 10,000 teenagers polled claimed they use Instagram. 77% of respondents indicated they use Snapchat, while 73% said they use TikTok. Just 27% of respondents said they use Facebook.

The majority of teenagers I know think of Facebook as the place where their grandparents post pictures from vacations and their parents dispute politics. And which respectable member of Generation Z desires to hang out in an elderly residence? Adieu to Boomerbook and hello to TikTok or Instagram in its place.

Conclusion

It is not necessarily accurate to say that Facebook is just for old people now. While it is true that Facebook has a large user base that is older, the platform also has a significant number of users who are younger. In fact, according to data from the Pew Research Center, as of 2021, about 69% of adults in the United States use Facebook. This includes people of all ages, and the platform has features and tools that appeal to users of different ages and interests.

It is important to note that the demographics of any given social media platform can change over time, as new platforms and technologies emerge and users shift their attention and habits. However, Facebook remains one of the most popular social media platforms, with a diverse user base that includes people of all ages.