I just came across the following article from Mashable on a study for Gen Y. The premise is asking Gen Y members, “Of the activities listed here, which one would you least like to give up for a week?” I’ve copied the results here:
- Gen Y: “Of the activities listed here, which one would you least like to give up for a week?”
To me, this is an exercise in common sense. If you simply understand what Gen Y people use each for, it all adds up. Number one on the list was Emailing, which is not surprising. It’s the hub of everything we do personally and professionally. You can’t do your job, contact your friends or do the most basic free communication without email. It’s at the core of what you do. Text messaging isn’t far behind, because of again, how we use it. Setting up to go places, Gen Y people rarely use the phone. It’s quicker to just say it in a text where you are, where you’re going or just say something quick to a friend…it’s like a DM on Twitter. When you’re at a noisy bar or in a meeting, you can’t take a phone call, but you can text to share information. Take away texting, and things would get a lot harder. The rest are a smattering of our personal interests. For some, not having TV to watch would leave them bored when they aren’t working. For others, web surfing is a core part of their day. All that’s left to understand then is the “Visiting Social Networking Websites”…
The reason we use social networks is because it adds value to our lives. Whether you plan your party or are just making a new connection on Facebook, it makes your social life easier and more robust. Our parents got by on land line phones and handwritten notes. Social networks are just the furthest down the line in “convenience we need most.” It’s no different than a survey asking “What food would you least give up?” Sure some people are chocoholics, but in the end, it’s your “meat and potatoes” (email and text) core of your diet you can’t give up. That doesn’t mean you don’t love your chocolate (social networks and TV) or that cocoa farmers have anything to worry about…it just means you have a logical priority level. I’d actually be concerned if more people thought they needed email, phone calls and texts less than their social networks.
I’m glad someone did a study to confirm the obvious. Our government commissions a lot of those too.