Social Media Masters

The younger generation does not have a monopoly when it comes to using technology and social media at work, a new survey suggests.

The survey, conducted by Forrester Consulting and Citrix Online, found younger workers actually lag behind their older counterparts -- Generation X workers and Baby Boomers -- when it comes to using collaborative technology in the workplace. For example, only 26 percent of Generation Y workers share work information via text message, compared to 47 percent of Baby Boomers. Younger workers also were least likely to use videoconferencing, video chat and web conferencing tools, the study found.

In addition, only 40 percent of Gen Y uses social networking for business on a daily basis, compared to 50 percent of those aged 55 and older. Older Boomers also have increased their business use of social media 79 percent in the past year, the study found.

As a member of Generation Y, my take is that younger workers may view social tools as just that -- a way to socialize with friends and family, rather than connect at work. And in a time when they're trying to break through the stereotypes that they're lazy, entitled and technology-obsessed, they may try to stray from talking and/or using social media, as a way to shed those stereotypes and prove themselves in the workplace.

What's your take? Are the survey results a snapshot of your office, or are younger workers (those in Generation X and Y) taking the reins on technology and social media?

Wired Workplace is a daily look at issues facing the federal information technology workforce. It is written by former Government Executive reporter Brittany Ballenstedt and published on Nextgov.com. Click here to read the latest entries.