Gen Y unlikely to change online openness with age

Published July 9, 2010 at 2:45 p.m.
The first generation of "digital natives," those born after 1980 who are "always connected" and share information openly and unabashedly online, are unlikely to change that behavior as they age, according to a new study.

"Older and wiser" will not necessarily equate to zipping it on the Web. If anything, Gen Y, or "Millennials," as the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project dubs the group, "are leading society into a new world of personal disclosure and information-sharing."

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Those who disagreed said that Millennials will "not have as much time in the future to devote to popular activities such as frequently posting to the world at large on YouTube, Twitter or Facebook about the nitty-gritty details of their lives," Pew said.

And some Millennials are increasingly wary of what long-term damage could be caused by silly party photos or hastily spewed rants online.

Lee Rainie, Pew Internet director, said "Some experts also expressed hope that society will be more forgiving of those whose youthful mistakes are on display in social media such as Facebook picture albums or YouTube videos."


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