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New Issue for Facebook: Young Kids Not Interested?

Site called 'mom thing' by some as they turn to Twitter, Tumblr

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2012 4:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sure, it's got 900 million users—but there's a key demographic that may be slipping away from Facebook's grasp. Young teens tell the Los Angeles Times that the social network no longer boasts much of a coolness factor; indeed, it may have become a "mom thing" (horrors!). "Facebook is just not the big fad anymore," says a 15-year-old. For many of her peers, Twitter, Tumblr, texting, and other mobile apps beat Mark Zuckerberg's site, and give them a little more privacy from Mom and Dad.

Meanwhile, Facebook is huge with older folks: It's got a higher proportion of 50- to 64-year-old users than any other social network besides LinkedIn—almost a quarter—and 3 of 4 US moms using home computers checked into the site in March. But the stats don't bear out the suggestion that teens are sick of Facebook, says an analyst: "Just because teens are using other services like Twitter and Tumblr more—and they are using these services in huge amounts—doesn't mean they're using Facebook less." Indeed, 8 of 10 teens are on social networks, and 93% of them use Facebook.

Some teens say they're sick of Facebook.
Some teens say they're sick of Facebook.   (Getty Images)
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When Facebook got started, Paris Hilton was wearing a velour tracksuit. At some point Facebook will become the velour tracksuit. - Writer Erika Brooks Adickman

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
Beanburger
Jun 1, 2012 1:19 PM CDT
Facebook isn't cool with any age group under 40! Facebook is useful but certainly not cool.
Nimitz
Jun 1, 2012 1:53 AM CDT
Crackbook: passing fad or gover-business leash? Either way, looks like we're finally raising a smarter class of pimple pumpers.  
TristramShandy
Jun 1, 2012 12:02 AM CDT
Don't worry, 20-year-olds . . . 10-year-olds already think the 15-year-olds are lame too.
 

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