Sick of social media, sorry it was ever invented, sad about the direction it’s taking our society, and skeptical about its importance for small businesses? Well… sorry.

According to Web Pro News:
Millennials are expected to make online sharing a lifelong habit, according to new research from Pew Internet and Elon University.

In an online survey of 895 technology stakeholders and critics, 67 percent agreed with the following statement:

“By 2020, members of Generation Y (today’s “digital natives”) will continue to be ambient broadcasters who disclose a great deal of personal information in order to stay connected and take advantage of social, economic, and political opportunities. Even as they mature, have families, and take on more significant responsibilities, their enthusiasm for widespread information sharing will carry forward.”

Some 29 percent agreed with the opposite statement:

“By 2020, members of Generation Y (today’s “digital natives”) will have “grown out” of much of their use of social networks, multiplayer online games and other time-consuming, transparency-engendering online tools. As they age and find new interests and commitments, their enthusiasm for widespread information sharing will abate.”

If there is a reduction in use of social media functions, it will most likely be in a backlash against negative over-sharing, not with the obvious benefits of social media that people will continue to reap. Think less teen girl gossip; more valuable information that people crave.
Most of those surveyed believed the sharing of personal information online has many social benefits as people open up to others in order to build friendships, form and find communities, seek help, and build their reputations. They said Millennials have already seen the benefits and will not reduce their use of these social tools over the next decade as they take on more responsibilities while growing older.

“The majority noted that new social norms that reward disclosure are already in place among the young,” said Pew Internet Director Lee Rainie.

“Some experts also expressed hope that society will be more forgiving of those whose youthful mistakes are on display in social media such as Facebook picture albums or YouTube videos.”

[...] “Some of the experts said an awkward trial-and-error period is unfolding and will continue over the next decade, as people adjust to new realities about how social networks perform and as new boundaries are set about the personal information that is appropriate to share,” said Janna Anderson, director of the Imagining the Internet Center and a co-author of the study.

All this to say, if you’re skeptical about the long-term importance of investing in an Internet marketing strategy (with a robust social media component), don’t be. Even if Twitter or Facebook fall out of favor, new platforms will almost assuredly rise to take their place.

People like easy access to information. People like the “bullhorn effect” of being able to control and broadcast information. People like community, and crave exchange. Social media sparks all of this.

Learn it. Know it. Use it to your business’s advantage. Contact our Dallas social media experts—we’ll show you how.