The 'Hyper Connected' Infographic outlines how the Y gen has grown up playing with iPads more than with dolls, clearly showing the monstrous degree to which the millennial group is plugged in.
Internet usage and consta-communication through text has become a staple in many lives. It is hard to imagine going a couple days off the grid, let alone a lifetime like our great-grandparents did. This infographic explains how the millennial generation does not necessarily own a significantly greater number of tech products (such as a tablet computer, game console or cell phone) than the older X generation or baby boomers. Rather, it is the way in which these devices are used that has habitually changed. Cell phones are used more often as multifunctional devices, seeing significantly greater usage to take videos, listen to music and surf the net in the Y gen than any other older generation.
If the youth of today is already so wired in, it is scary to think how difficult it is going to be to peel their kids away from the handheld screen.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Hyper-connected Society
- The trend toward always-on, smartphone-centric communication creates opportunities for new products and services that can harness this behavior.
- Multifunction Devices
- The trend toward using smartphones and other personal devices for a wide range of activities, from communications to media consumption and more, will continue to drive future innovations.
- Social Media Dependence
- The trend toward using social media as a primary means of communication and connection creates opportunities for new platforms and tools that can better address the needs and preferences of younger users.
Where This Applies
- Mobile Devices
- Companies that make smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices have the potential to continue driving innovations that reshape the way people communicate and consume media.
- Social Media
- Social media platforms are likely to continue evolving to better serve younger users, while also offering new opportunities for advertisers and content creators.
- Entertainment
- The shift toward using smartphones and other devices for video and music consumption creates opportunities for companies in the entertainment industry to create new and innovative products and services that cater to this trend.
