The media has been a buzz over the ‘new’ stats that teens don’t use Twitter. It seems that Facebook continues to be the king of the social networking tools amongst people 12-18. Its no surprise to me that teens don’t tweet - one of the biggest benefits to Twitter is that you can post on the fly. One of the tools that I have my eye on - Foursquare - is also something that needs on the fly data. Teens don’t typically have data plans.

The argument that they already have deeply established networks is a valid one. To move all of that established communication to another channel would be tricky for sure. But research from Youthography has also shown that youth under 12 aren’t bothering with Facebook anymore, choosing to use networks that their parents aren’t on too.

So why does any of this matter?

For a long time, “what the kids were doing” was the arbiter of a new trend, from Rock ‘n Roll to Facebooking, the kids lead the way. Except for now. Because of the rapid introduction of new technologies, we are all learning and adopting to new ways of doing thing. I agree with the New York Times article, it’s important that innovators realize that the demographic of early adopters is wider than just 12-18 years old. There are opportunities for technology to level the adoption playing field. Who would have thought that grandpa would be on Facebook writing on his grandkids wall’s?

The lack of teens on twitter means that the service is evolving in ways that have more professional and ‘adult’ applications that it might have otherwise. *cough* Myspace *cough* This will serve Twitter as they figure out how to monetize the service.

Teens will always find the latest and greatest thing for their needs and so will adults. Frankly I’m thrilled that they won’t be loitering around Twitter with their angsty poems and lol cats.