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Loading ...I just had a quick exchange of twits with Chris Parandian of Mobile Diner regarding the views that baby boomers have regarding their own privacy. I came away disagreeing in part. Chris thinks its a paradigm shift - and I don’t necessarily disagree with that concept, but I think something is missing in the theory that the younger set is (or at least will be) more concerned about privacy as the get older.
To be sure, the older one is, the less likely one is going to be appreciative of third party involvement in one’s privacy. And yes, baby boomers are less likely to conduct “share info and conduct biz online” than GenX. Some of that is by habit, some of that is by fear. And that GenXers are more used bo being online and sharing info etc. And they are more likely to understand that their data is being sold here and there.
But I’m talking privacy overall. I’m talking about how people age and mature, a certain set of values set in. These values affect their outlook on life, on relationships, on how they want themselves to be presented.
College kids and young adults are more open. Their social lives are often the most important part of their lives. They seek gratification/acceptance through their vast social networks of friends. For instance, one way to say how you met someone on Facebook is “We hooked up”.
But as people age, they do things like marry. They buy homes. They have kids. They are less outward focused on their greater social lives and more focused on their family lives. And they start to see themselves as ‘protectors’ in a way of their family life.
And family life can be difficult. Marital issues. Careers affecting marriages. Issues with the kids. You’ve got a mortgage to pay and are leaving around a financial trail. You naturally become more private…because it’s nobody’s business how much you make or that one spouse is sometimes bored with life. It affects one’s way of thinking.
So, yeah, today’s 23 year old may live a more open life than a 53 year old. But I’m betting those life changes that are ahead for the 23 year old will stunt that paradigm change more many expect.
Filed under: Online Privacy, Privacy
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Hello Jonathan,
I suppose we can’t look into a crystal ball to check out the disposition of the spirited Gen x and Yers two decades from now. But I’ll bet there will be a mortgage involved. And that’ll bring someone down to earth real quick!
There’s also a maturity and an inherent instinct toward protecting our clan when we have children. We may have evolved over the centuries but we’re still survivors by nature, and I think our deep association with caring for the family jewels, if you will, might trump most other things.
I enjoy your site, Best, Judy
You’re exactly right about kids. A parent today will protect their kids and parents of tomorrow will do the same.
That’s the part the many who feel otherwise are missing. The need for privacy comes natural for those very reasons.
Chris Parandian is right in the sense that there IS a shift going on and it involves media usage and social networking…but that shift will get stymied when a child gets marketed too.