[the_watcher]

>> Teens likely see Facebook the same way the Facebook generation sees LinkedIn – like a utilitarian place to manage connections.

This is why the "millennials are leaving Facebook" worry isn't actually real. Yes, middle schoolers and high schoolers aren't using Facebook. They are at a stage in their life where the idea of their parents being able to see into their life is scary. Their social circle is also disproportionately made up of people they can easily see every day. Facebook's utility for contact management, event planning, and keeping in touch doesn't really begin until people turn 18 and go out on their own. This doesn't even begin to touch the ease of using it to sign up for other products that are built on top of it.

[Jhsto]

I'am 18 and I agree with you. The way the discussion one day happened in status updates have now moved to usually hidden groups. The groups are usually built around some specific event, say prams, or alternatively around some common interest such as LAN gaming or binge drinking. It works as a new and more appealing way to create what you may consider mailing lists. Engaging in those groups is easier as you post something relevant to the topic and know that your or your friends aunt will not see what you said.

[boomzilla]

Great, welcome to the age of bulletin board.

[the_watcher]

>> welcome to the age of bulletin board.

Facebook was created as an online replacement for something that had been around in physical form for a long time. Welcome to Facebook.

[nkohari]

I think boomzilla was talking about electronic bulletin boards, i.e. BBSes and the web-based forum replacements that grew from them. (And it's an apt comparison -- forums remain an important social aspect of the web.)

[wehadfun]

>Their social circle is also disproportionately made up of people they can easily see every day

Great point