Cathryn Sloane’s post “Why Every Social Media Manager Should Be Under 25” sparked numerous responses on the connections between age and knowledge of social media. According to Sloane, every social media manager should be under 25 for a number of reasons. One reason is they are more capable of being able to “predict, execute, and utilize” the platform effectively, simply because they have grown up with it.
I must disagree with Sloane’s argument. I believe most people in my generation have a basic knowledge of social media. However, that does not mean we know how to manage it all properly. Just because we are capable of posting a video on Facebook and retweeting our favorite celebrity on Twitter, does not mean we know how to utilize social media well enough to run business’ social media content. In this situation, experience is key.
Another opponent of Sloane’s ideas is Hollis Thomases of Inc. Magazine, who wrote “11 Reasons a 23-Year-Old Shouldnt Run Your Social Media.”. Thomases make the point that there is much more that goes into managing social media than creative ideas and uploading content. It is just as important to be knowledgeable of “production requirements, tools, analytics, and other aspects of work.” I completely agree with this statement and think it is essential for a social media manager to be well rounded in multiple facets of marketing and management when it comes to social media.
Additionally, I do not think age should be a major factor in deciding whether to hire someone or not. It is true that if one is young, they may be more likely to know what the popular trends are in social media. However, it is not hard to get that same information if you 3o, or even 45. It is also true that many young people are spearheads for great social media campaigns, but age should not disqualify someone from being a social media manager.
So although social media may play a large role in the “millennials” generation, it does not mean we have enough experience to be a social media manager right out of school. Furthermore, age should not be a limitation when it comes to getting a job. Someone should be hired based on their experience in the field, not just their age.
AshleyKPerez 
Thomases comes off as arrogant, which makes for a very difficult article to read or agree with. But I like that you took a look at both sides of the argument and shared your opinion. Age should never be a requirement in any job, and as you point out – social media marketing is much more than using social media techniques.
Nice post, and love the theme.
Dennis