Web 2.0 Blog

I was browsing Web 2.0 news on May 8^th when I found out about a recent study by Princeton University, which discovered that only 8% of US adults are users of Web 2.0 technologies despite 73% of them have Internet connections. Why is there a disinterest in Web 2.0 among adults? The survey didn’t include teenagers, though I’m sure if it did we’d be looking at a higher percentage as it does seem to be that generation that dominates discussion boards and data sharing sites such as YouTube. On CRN Australia it was reported that “the report doesn’t offer much to console sellers of PCs, mobile phones, iPods, and the like about their future prospects except to say the young represent a more receptive set of potential customers. ‘Two of the four tech-oriented groups have a higher-than average percentage of members who are full- or part-time students,’ the report says.”

My theory is that it is simply down to time and place. Students and teenagers have more time in their lives for web Surfing and wasting hours talking to people online about a selected interest, whereas adults are more concerned with work and looking after the house. Also, many students today do their research online, they have broadband connections in their schools and universities and quite often their work requires online access. Therefore, they’re much more likely to come across these technologies and use them before adults even become aware of their existence.

InternetNews.com says: “While most Americans are comfortable using the Internet, far fewer are ready to dive into Web 2.0 - such as creating blogs and posting personal videos.” As well as time and place, perhaps the reason for this can also be attributed to absence of naivety towards the risks of exposing personal data in an online environment. Adults are usually much more cautious than younger people when it comes to making their existence public knowledge. Silicon.com says, “The study found, though many US adults do own the gadgets that enable those functions and use the devices to express themselves privately.” Perhaps, then it is a case of privacy and the thickening air of distrust of this online world is preventing them from contributing their own data. I believe the reason most people contribute to Web 2.0 technologies is through a combination of altruism and belonging. It provides self-satisfaction to the individual and a sense of belonging to a community when you contribute to a discussion board, or post a video to a group, or submit a review of a book, something that isn’t always attainable in the real world. The low percentage of Web 2.0 users may well be down to both distrust & privacy and inconveniences such as time& place, and if it is the case, the companies need to make their services more accessible to adult life. This may be through more reassuring promotion campaigns or simply better incentives for joining other than being labelled an ‘Internet geek’ amongst friends. Perhaps it’s large young audience means it is perceived predominantly as a kid’s technology. In that case, companies need to re-brand to appeal more to adults. Ultimately, I can’t see Web 2.0 sustaining such poor performances in the future, and I’m sure it will only be improved to attract everyone.

By Adam Moss