Facebook to refocus its efforts toward serving younger users

[midian182]

In context: Facebook has long had a reputation among teens as being the social network for "old people," which in this case usually refers to anyone aged 30 or over. But Mark Zuckerberg wants to change this perception by refocusing on "serving young adults," even if that comes at the expense of older users.

Facebook, plagued by more controversy than usual recently, has found itself knee-deep in another problem following reports that it misled investors over declining teen and young adult user numbers. Both groups are spending less time on the social network, the number of signups is falling, and people are joining at older age: around 24 or 25. The company is being accused of misrepresentation after spending years showing huge growth but leaving out details of key demographics.

In a call to investors on Monday, Zuckerberg said Facebook was "retooling" to "make serving young adults their north star."

"So much of our services have gotten dialed to be the best for the most people who use them, rather than specifically for young adults," Zuckerberg said, adding that the changes will take years rather than months and result in growth among older users slowing.

If you know what this is, you're probably not Facebook's priority

Facebook and Instagram will put even more emphasis on video, which it sees as the best method of attracting younger users away from TikTok. Both sites will make Reels "a more central part of the experience."

Zuckerberg also said that "our goal is to help the metaverse reach a billion people." The CEO has talked about transitioning into a "metaverse" company since July, and it was recently reported that Facebook is preparing to change its name to reflect this change of focus. It is also adding 10,000 "high-skilled" jobs across the European Union over the next five years to build hardware such as VR and AR experiences.

Whether a renewed focus on attracting younger users will help Facebook is debatable. The service has been under fire since leaked internal studies showed the social network knows how damaging Instagram is for teenage girls' mental wellbeing. This was followed by allegations of deals with Trump, an FTC lawsuit, a cease-and-desist letter it sent to the developer of the Unfollow Everything extension, and a whistleblower testifying to US senators that Facebook prioritizes making money over doing what is good for the public.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/91930-facebook-refocus-efforts-toward-serving-younger-users.html

 

[winjer]

Considering how much damage Facebook does to people's minds and intellect, it should be forbidden for people under 18.

 

[NicktheWVAHick]

Considering how much damage Facebook does to people's minds and intellect, it should be forbidden for people under 18.

Just like EtOH

 

[Dimitriid]

Considering how much damage Facebook does to people's minds and intellect, it should be forbidden for people under 18.

Actually the Window of people allowed to use Facebook should be 18 to 36 because after that, the older generations are usually so new to technology they can be as gullible and naiive as kids and teens.

 

[NumberSix]

Actually the Window of people allowed to use Facebook should be 18 to 36 because after that, the older generations are usually so new to technology they can be as gullible and naiive as kids and teens.

Yeah all those people in their 50s & 60s that have grown up playing games for the last 40 odd years and tinkering with early computers are right techno thickets.

 

[Kosmoz]

They already got all the fools in the adult section of the population, so it makes sense for them to focus on kids now, they are the new fools to trap and brainwash.

 

[Dimitriid]

Yeah all those people in their 50s & 60s that have grown up playing games for the last 40 odd years and tinkering with early computers are right techno thickets.

Hey I could have made it 40 but I intentionally made it 36 leaving me out of Facebook entirely too, to prove a point: Yes there's "all those people in their 50s and 60s" but two points: there is absolutely NO correlation with being smart in one area and gullible in another. People assume above average intelligent people would never fall for scams or join cults but they're just as susceptible: It's entirely possible to be very knowledgeable and have keen awareness on one area and not in another one.

So if you worked building databases in cobol 40 years ago it really doesn't prepares you for modern technology, and certainly doesn't prepares you for modern social media interactions that are fully divorced from just being familiar with the nuts & bolts anyway.

Second overall point: there really used to be a hell of a lot less people working on IT or even with technology on a day-to-day basis. The boomer memes are not just unfair they exist for a reason: technology has moved so fast that the amount of people that use it more casually and that have a career involving tech has grown exponentially.

So you basically are finding the exceptions that kinda confirm the rule so to speak.

 

[koblongata]

Recently videos from The Action Lab, Veritasium and contents like these are popping up in my Facebook, very educational and fascinating, I subscribed both, I think FB has learned a things or two from Youtube, it's cool.

 

[DavevaS]

The main thing has always been profanity. WTF is White Trash Farty. No Wiggly Tiny Finger. The youth must choose evil or it goes no where. I have been cursed since age 9 when dunts men came to our school offering us cigarettes. Let's just say they very quickly turned pale and I am obligated for the younger then me boy did not understand returning a curse.