E-Mail is Not Just for Old Fogeys: A Modest Study of E-Preferences Across Generations

Despite the fact that e-mail seems to be the preferred communications medium for college professors, the popular literature discusses a generation gap between younger and older individuals. The older generation reportedly is more comfortable with e-mail, whereas the younger generation appears to favor social networking, instant messaging, and texting. In this study, younger and older individuals were surveyed to learn their perceptions and habits regarding electronic communications. The data from this study show that both younger and older participants use e-mail for work and socialization purposes. This study raises an awareness of perceptions related to electronic communication styles