The Word - Is Twitter Taking Over Our Lives?

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Is Twitter Taking Over Our Lives?

Olivia Lairmore - April 15, 2009

Can we stop the Twitter obsession?

What is Twitter? Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called "tweets" of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search.

You would think that Facebook and Myspace had covered all the bases with the social network, but apparently they weren't good enough. Everyday in the newspaper there seems to be a new article talking about Twitter. Celebrities, teenagers, adults and businesses all find a way to stay connected.

The popularity of Twitter has greatly expanded over the past few months. In February the estimated amount of worldwide users was about 10 million. This has increased by over 700% from just a year earlier.

February and March alone have seen 5 million visitors added. Just the U.S. population on Twitter is almost 4 million as of February. This has increased by 1,000% since last year.

Normally the age groups of people visiting the social network websites are between 18-25, but there has been an increase in 25-54 year olds interested in Twitter.

Interestingly enough, the age group of 45-54 year olds is 36% more likely to enjoy and visit the site, and the 25-34 year olds are 30% more likely to visit. The 18-25 year olds are 12% less likely to visit the site than the older generations.

The older age groups would seem less likely to know much about technology. Since many businesses are now using Twitter, the people in charge are often part of the very first generation exposed to the Internet.

Because not only teenagers and young adults are technically advanced, the blogging website is more open for users of all ages. This might explain part of the reason that the expansion is so great. The amount of 25 and older users population is much greater than the 25 and younger users population.

I interviewed Neil Jump, who has joined in this Twitter confession to ask him some questions.

Q: Why did you join the Twitter phenomenon?

A: I joined because everyone is doing it, and it seemed really fun.

Q: What do you enjoy about Twitter?

A: I enjoy uploading all of my favorite pictures, and telling people what is happening in my life.

Q: What is your blogging name?

A: My blogging name is creepstar44

Q: Do you like Twitter better than other networks like Facebook and Myspace?

A: No, I do not like it better at all, more of my friends have Facebook.

Q: How often do you "tweet?"

A: I tweet about once a week

Contrary to what some news articles and stories may say, Twitter is a great way to stay in touch with family and friends, and an excellent business device. Twitter is also a tool for the older generations to stay connected, and not be out of the loop on the technological ways of the world.