Social Media: The New Note Home Does Age Effect Responsiveness and acceptance to Social Media? By: David Yarbrough EDTC 5130

Hypothesis I hypothesized that there will be a trend demonstrating an increase in preference for digital parent and student communication from schools through the use of social media. I also speculate that parents age 25 to 45 will be more likely to accept and use social media’s like Facebook, and Twitter more often that parents age range 45 – 65 in my community.

Methodology To test my hypothesis, I developed a survey consisting of five questions to define my participants position on social media. I presented this survey at my monthly FFA meeting.

The Survey Please indicate the degree to which each statement applies to you by marking whether you: (1) Strongly disagree, (2) disagree, (3) are neutral, (4) agree, (5) strongly agree. Social networks are growing rapidly in popularity. How likely are you to join a social networking website like Facebook, or Twitter? 1 – Strongly 2 – Disagree 3 – Neutral 4 – Agree 5 – Strongly  2. Social networking is more important than face-to-face interaction or traditional communication methods. 1 – Strongly 2 – Disagree 3 – Neutral 4 – Agree 5 – Strongly  3. How often do you use a computer or networking device like a cell phone on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most often 1 being the least? 1 – Strongly 2 – Disagree 3 – Neutral 4 – Agree 5 – Strongly  4. Social media is a better method to commutate with you than traditional methods. 1 – Strongly 2 – Disagree 3 – Neutral 4 – Agree 5 – Strongly  5. I would prefer communicating with social media over a traditional method of calling or meeting face-to-face. 1 – Strongly 2 – Disagree 3 – Neutral 4 – Agree 5 – Strongly 

Participants I had a total of 44 participants respond 23 Parents = 53% ◦7 Male ◦16 Female 21 Students = 47% ◦14 Male ◦7 Female

Results As you can see the results from question 4, which asked if, social media is a better method to commutate with you than traditional methods assures that my first hypothesis is correct for the age group.

Results As you can see my second hypothesis was correct. Parents in the age range of were all receptive to social media as compared to the 41 – 65 age range which all responded lower to the questions in the survey.

Conclusion In conclusion it appears that there is a preference to communicate by social media in my community and parents in the age range 25 – 45 are more accepting of social media as a means of communicating.