Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D.Aka “The Brain Lady”@[email protected]
WIAD, Milwaukee, February 2016
From Sock Hop To Snapchat: Truths And Myths About
Generational Differences
People Have Mental Models
“Greatest”over 90
“Silent”70 to 89
“Baby Boomers” 50 to 69
“Gen X”35 to 50
“Millennial” (Gen 1.0)20 to 34
“Gen Z” (Gen 2.0)
5 to 19
“Gen 3.0” 0 to 4
You May Not Be Your Target Audience
“Baby Boomers” 50 to 69
“Millennial” (Gen 1.0)20 to 34
“Gen Z” (Gen 2.0)
5 to 19
36% of babies had swiped a touch screen before age 1
36% of babies had used an app before age 2
38% of toddlers had used a mobile or tablet device for at least an hour a day
(Hilda Kabali, 2015)
The median age of someone in the US is ___.
The median age of someone in the US is 37
The median age of a person on the planet is __
The median age of a person on the planet is 29.9
Myth Or Truth?
There are more Americans over the age of 65 than under the
age of 14
Myth Or Truth?
There are more Americans over the age of 65 than under the
age of 14
Myth Or Truth?
0-14 make up 20% of the population (~60 million)
65+ make up 13% of the population (~40 million)
Myth Or Truth?
Baby boomers don’t use Twitter as much as
younger generations
Myth Or Truth?
Baby boomers don’t use Twitter as much as
younger generations
Myth Or Truth?
The majority of “rich” people (over $200k/year) are Boomers
Myth Or Truth?
The majority of “rich” people (over $200k/year) are Boomers
(30% are Gen X’ers)
Myth Or Truth?
Millennials don’t have money.
Myth Or Truth?
Millennials don’t have money.
If you have net worth of $10,000 than you are wealthier than half of everyone under the age of 35
Myth Or Truth?
Millennials are so bored with life most of them just look at their
phone for no reason at all. They just stare at it.
Myth Or Truth?
Millennials are so bored with life most of them just look at their
phone for no reason at all. They just stare at it.
Myth Or Truth?
76% of cell owners ages 18 to 29 use their phone at least occasionally in public for no particular
reason, just for something to do.
Myth Or Truth?
Half of Millennials still live with their parents
Myth Or Truth?
Half of Millennials still live with their parents
Myth Or Truth?26% of Millennials still live with their parents
(the same percentage as in 2007)
Myth Or Truth?
Half of independent Millennials (not living in dorms or
w/parents) live with a roommate who is not a spouse or partner
Myth Or Truth?
Half of independent Millennials (not living in dorms or
w/parents) live with a roommate who is not a spouse or partner
Myth Or Truth?
Baby boomers use Linked In less than Gen Xers
Myth Or Truth?
Baby boomers use Linked In less than Gen Xers
Myth Or Truth?
More than 90% of Internet Gen 2.0 (under 17) have a Facebook
account
Myth Or Truth?
More than 90% of Internet Gen 2.0 (under 17) have a Facebook
account
Myth Or Truth?
71% of Gen 2.0 have a Facebook account
Myth Or Truth?
2016 will be the first election in which all Millennials will be old
enough to vote
Myth Or Truth?
2016 will be the first election in which all Millennials will be old
enough to vote
Myth Or Truth?
Millennials read, on average, fewer books than previous
generations (includes e-books)
Myth Or Truth?
Millennials read, on average, fewer books than previous
generations (includes e-books)
Myth Or Truth?
More than half of Internet Gen 2.0’rs (under 17) use Instagram
Myth Or Truth?
More than half of Internet Gen 2.0’rs (under 17) use Instagram
Myth Or Truth?
More Internet Gen 2.0’rs (under 17) use Snapchat than Twitter
Myth Or Truth?
More Internet Gen 2.0’rs (under 17) use Snapchat than Twitter
Myth Or Truth?
41% of Internet Gen 2.0’rs (under 17) use Snapchat,
only 33% use Twitter
Myth Or Truth?
27% of all video game players are over 50
Myth Or Truth?
27% of all video game players are over 50
Myth Or Truth?
27% of all video game players are over 50
There are the same number of people over 50 who play games as there are people
ages 18-35, or under 18
Myth Or Truth?
By 2025 40% of all consumers will be Gen
2.0’ers
Myth Or Truth?
By 2025 40% of all consumers will be Gen
2.0’ers
For a Resource list send your email address to:
[email protected] and reference: Generation Resource List
Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D.@thebrainlady
[email protected]