As
social networks demographics age, the ranks of Facebook are being
infiltrated by the older generation. This digital invasion can be a
source of much friction as parents and children find new ways to relate
online.
New research from Telstra shows 70 per cent of Australian mums currently use
social networking websites to keep in touch with their family, with more than 81 percent worried that they are 'doing it wrong'.
The results are part of Telstra's
State of the Nation Report, showing that mums are increasingly using
social networking to stay in touch with family. Other interesting
results from the report include:
- 61 per cent of Aussie mums use Facebook regularly - 47 per cent of
these mums use it daily and 14 per cent use it at least once a week
- 5 per cent of Aussie mums contact their immediate family via online social networking at least once a week.
- More than 47 per cent of mums aged 45-65 used social networking websites to view their children's pages.
What's a mum to do?
Telstra Brands and Marketing Communications Executive Director
Amanda Johnston-Pell said Telstra has "launched a new
program to help mothers up-skill in the social networking space to stay
in touch with their family online with our new program called Mum 2.0,"
"Online social networking is quickly becoming the norm for staying
in touch with family and friends and the Telstra Mum 2.0 free of charge
program is here to help Aussie mums make sure they never lose face
online."
The Mum 2.0 program includes a series of
instructional 'digital makeover' videos, a handy (printable)
how to guide on social Networking and even a
Facebook page to help your mum stay on top of it all.
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Teltra gives some top tips for mums entering the social networking space
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Radio personality and comedian Wendy Harmer, Telstra's official Mum 2.0 ambassador, said she had a look but don't touch approach to social networking with her children.
"My kids and their friends are avid social networkers, from Facebook
to MySpace. It's normal for mums to want to see what their kids are
doing, but I don't want my kids to think I'm spying on them! I check
their pages every now and again and I try to only comment or contact
them if I have something witty to say," Ms Harmer said.
As to be expected, dad need not ask for instructions or directions. He can work it out on his own.
Telstra's Call Mum
