Personally, the increase of adults using social networking sites is shocking, yet disturbing. What young adult in their right mind would want their parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles to view their social network profile? Much less a prospective employer? However for professional reasons it means new beginnings, opportunities with the possibility of more jobs to accommodate for these new social networking users.
I created my Facebook profile as a freshman in college completely oblivious to the fact that someday I would have to put up privacy settings to keep family members off of my profile. As a freshman, I had pictures on Facebook that I did not want my parents to see, but lesson learned, an extended family member had printed off my profile pictures and mailed them to my parents. Incredible. I didn't even think anybody in my family over the age of 25 knew about social networking, especially Facebook. Now according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project adults on social networking sites has quadrupled since 2005. The rise of adults on these sites is a scary thought for me. I have now seen numerous adults on Facebook, including relatives, friend's parents, aunts, uncles and teachers from high school. As a journalism student who is about to graduate in May I have been forced to alter my profile because I don't want people to compare my profile to the work I produce for KUJH-TV and the Kansan.com.
Setting myself apart from a young adult who does not want their parents or future employers to view my Facebook page as a journalist I know that this means more opportunities. These opportunities for a journalist include a larger, broader audience to be targeted. With growing numbers of adults ranging in age more diversity in the news will be necessary. Yes that means more work for us journalists but what a chance to broaden our horizons and express new creativity to entice all generations to explore the Web and what it has to offer them. Adults can get up-to-date news online now instead of waiting for the evening newscasts. Advertisers can get excited about the increase of adults in social networks because this means MORE advertising and more diverse clients.
As a future multimedia producer, the increase of adults in social networks provides new beginnings for the Web. This means that no longer can multimedia projects be targeted towards just young adults and teens but now must be targeted towards all ages of adults. As a multimedia producer I can only hope that as adults explore social networks on the Web that they too will discover getting their news from the Web and interact with Web sites. A difficulty of targeting adults could be making projects that are simple enough for them to interact with or enticing enough for them to take time out of their busy schedules to engage with a Web site. A multimedia producer must understand that not all adults are Web savvy or even have the time to explore the Web.
As a student, I see the growing number of adults of social networking sites as an irritation. It's another way for family members to be too nosy or invasive. Yet as a professional journalist and multimedia producer I see these adults becoming an opportunity for my profession that will open new doors and yet again advance journalism on the Web.
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