Are You An 'Accepter'?

I talk about teens and technology and social networking a lot. And I get why they like it and understand how they're using it, but as an adult user, I'm lost. I have five profiles: Two on MySpace (one for Ypulse and one for Totally Wired), one for Totally Wired on Bebo, one for me on Linked In and one on Facebook). How much time do I spend on these sites? Less than 5 minutes a day. I'm an "accepter." People send me friend requests, and unless they're naked, spammy or just creepy, I accept them. That's it. I just don't have the time or bandwith or desire to really do much more on these sites. I guess I spend so much time reading content online and answering email, that spending even more time communicating on social networks has no appeal for me.

Someone asked me to introduce them to a CEO once via one of my connections on Linked In. The "connection" was someone I accepted who I didn't know. I did it and got chastised for not including enough information about the person who wanted to be introduced. I evidently did not follow proper Linked In protocol. I've also had a connection on Linked In say they "knew me" to get a job interview at the last company I worked at. I had to go tell HR I really didn't know this person at all.

I'm sure that if I invested the time and energy do make connections in the "right way," I might get more out of these sites. I get invites to new sites all the time Doostang, Pownce, Good Reads….I barely have time to read a book each month for my in-person book club, never mind list and review them for others. I guess I'm feeling a little guilty for just being "an accepter." And, I've outed myself. Feel free to keep sending friend requests…I'll accept them.

P.S. I was inspired to write this after reading this "psychological" analysis of why Facebook is so popular, especially with the over 30 set.

Categorized under: Web

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