So I mentioned this in the context of fundraising and volunteer efforts in San Francisco and California electioneering in an article for the SF Appeal a few months back. To update, Gavin Newsom has about a dollar in the bank per Twitter follower for his gubernatorial campaign, and is behind in fundraising likely competitor Jerry Brown by a factor of seven. The former campaign manager has resigned, and Newsom has brought on a machine political fixer to replace him.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> I chatted with my high school sophomore cousin over the summer who has a MySpace page, doesn't spend much time on Facebook, and has no interest in Twitter. But I imagine she will when she heads to college, where she'll likely have to move and leave behind local friends (after all, that's when I finally got hooked on email, having had access in theory for years before that through BBSs).
posted by Jackson West at 2009-08-26 04:11:32 
I agree, somehow. Most of the kids want something else than just micro-blogging-- whether it's games, surveys/quizzes, embedded videos, etc. Twitter is useful, but it's mostly for those who are busy and have jobs. It's a quick way to update everyone about your life. Kids who still have too much time on their hands like Facebook better because Facebook has everything.
posted by VHwriter at 2009-08-26 05:12:30
Two of the most popular news threads about Twitter of late include:<br /><br /> 1) Twitter is 40% pointless babble: of course, person-to-person conversation is more like 60% pointless babble.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> 2) Teens don't like Twitter: Why would they? Twitter has morphed into a service that allows people to share thoughts, information, bounce ideas off of others, and show expertise. Why would anyone think a teenager would use this? It's of virtually no benefit to the average teenager. This meme of coverage would be like a bunch of medical reporters announcing that teenagers find statin drugs to be "a total waste!" No kidding.
posted by Jason DeRusha at 2009-08-26 09:05:22
Ironic. Teenagers don't use Twitter, and yet they're all a bunch of "followers."
posted by Barrett Chase at 2009-08-26 10:46:51
I've guess most teen are not fund in using Twitter, they prefer to have Facebook or MySpace account. Twitter is a very good tool when you're having an online business. It's a best way to promote the product and services that you've been offering. <br /><br />
posted by Nicole Swift at 2009-08-26 13:31:24
I think most teenagers have a very small circle that they communicate with. Also generally they are in the same geographical area.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> With aging your group of friends both grows and slowly spins apart and services such as twitter and facebook start to become a more vital tool for communication. At some point you simply cannot afford the resources of keeping in direct contact. So you pick and choose; some close friends get the "check in" text/email or phonecall, all others get the less resource intensive passive interaction of social networking.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> SMS is a much better tool if your network of friends is tighter. One person texts the other, than they forward the text or physically show the other. Boom your done. Hell I remember when I was a kid, a pager was the only social network I had.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Another reason for Twitters insignificance among teens I'd guess is that SMS communication doesn't require a smartphone or a data plan for an always on connection. I could send you a direct message on twitter and hope you check in with twitter, or I could send a text and instantly know that you got it. Finally I would guess some parents are willing to get their kid a cell but aren't throwing down for the $30 a month data plan and iphone.
posted by ryanol at 2009-08-26 16:48:08
make that 12 followers
posted by guy at 2009-08-26 17:01:11
