CEO Blog: Addicted To Social Media

Social Media: From Adoption to Addiction

While opinions about social media are as diverse as the subjects people tweet about, one thing is certain; more and more people are using and becoming familiar with social media platforms like FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and companies that learn to engage with, or at least monitor their social buzz will be better off than those who burry their heads in the sand.

With the adoption of mobile networks and devices like smart phones, netbooks and the soon-to-be-released iPad, social media has evolved from something people do in front of an office computer, to something they can do from virtually anywhere, even from space. (Don’t believe me, look up @NASA).

Gadgetology Reports Reveals Social Media Trends

Because Retrevo is a web site specializing in consumer electronics information, we conduct regular Gadgetology studies, to find out how consumers use technology in their day-to-day lives.

Our most recent studyasked social media users questions such as, when, where, and how much time they spend on sites and services like FaceBook and Twitter. We were not surprised to learn how many people appear to be, shall we say, obsessed with checking in with their social media circles throughout the day and even the night. Not only did we confirm what most people suspect about a new generation of social media users (bordering on abusers), but we also detected an interesting trend where social media is providing many consumers with their morning cup of news.

Social Media Use Around the Clock

In addition to confirming that social media fanatics check Facebook and Twitter throughout the day, our study found almost half of the respondents check in on the social media scene in bed, during the night or as soon as they wake up in the morning. Of course, younger social media users said they tweet by night more than those over 25.

Will Twitter Kill the Morning News Shows?

Almost half of social media users are so involved with FaceBook and Twitter, that it’s one of the first things they “do” in the morning. 16% of them admit to this being their preferred method of getting the morning news. While this isn’t a direct threat, just yet, for shows like Good Morning America, it’s safe to say, that by the time traditional news shows find out about a breaking story, it’s already become a trending topic on Twitter.

Social Media is More Than a Fad

Social media is still a relatively new concept in the arena of addiction, so whether you’re in it for business, personal gain, or family and friends, it might be a good idea, now and then, to unplug and take a break. Of course, when you do, you’ll probably want to Tweet about it.

• Click Here To Read The Full Retrevo Study
• CNBC's Guest Blog - The Place for the State of Business
  

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Vipin Jain is the President and CEO of the consumer electronics marketplace, Retrevo.com; a shopping and review site that helps people decide what gadgets to buy, when to buy, and where to buy them. Vipin is responsible for setting the company's direction and guiding it to success. Before Retrevo, as Vice President & General Manager, Vipin conceived, started, launched and ramped up Extreme Networks Wi-Fi business. Prior to Extreme Networks, Vipin was a co-founder of Telseon, a pioneer in IP-based Metro Service Delivery. Vipin is the inventor of IEEE 802.1X, the security protocol in wireless and wireline Ethernet, and has been awarded 13 patents.