Technology fuels rise of the ‘maybe’ generation

Tech makes us more spontaneous, but less likely to commit in advance.

Facebook and other social media could me increasing indecisiveness in millenials.

TECHNOLOGY is fuelling a new wave of spontaneity new national research has revealed.

But it is also creating a generation who feel uneasy committing to plans in advance, according to the nationwide study which included Scots.

While 30 per cent of Britons still make weekend plans a week or more ahead of time, over 40 per cent of adults now confess that they don’t feel comfortable making definite weekend plans any further than 48 hours in advance.

More than 10 per cent absolutely refuse to make firm weekend plans before Friday, for fear of missing out on a spur of the moment opportunity – or a better offer.

Andrea Tarpey, spokeswoman for LateRooms.com, who conducted the research said: “It’s clear that technology, and easy access to it via our smartphones, is contributing to a rise in spontaneity and means that we’re leaving it later than ever to commit to things.

“Family weekends away, romantic breaks, dinner reservations, New Year’s Eve plans, party invites.... we’re leaving it much later in 2015 to confirm all of them.

“Even Christmas is seeing an increase in those waiting until 25th December to decide where they’ll be spending the day itself.”

The ubiquity of Facebook and other social media has seen the rise of a phenomenon experts have dubbed the ‘Maybe Generation’; because Facebook invitations give users three distinct options ‘Can’t Go’, ‘Going’ and ‘Maybe’.

The ‘Maybe Generation’ trend is being amplified by the social behavior of young adults, according to the research – over half (54 per cent) of 18-24 year olds wouldn’t RSVP with a definitive answer to an invite until the latest possible moment.

Almost 7 in 10 (69 per cent) of those young adults say always-on access to their smartphones means they can be more spontaneous and don’t feel the urgency to commit to plans right away. Just over half (54%) of 45-54 year olds agree.

The research shows that when receiving an invitation to a social event, the huge majority of Facebook users are most likely to select ‘Maybe’ and then make their final decision about attending or not on impulse.