Do Youngsters Collect Stamps Today ?

I've heard that the younger generations don't have any interest in philately. I wonder if this is a fact, so .....
Do any of your kids, grandkids, or others that you know collect stamps today ?

Once in awhile I'll see a kid in tow at a show, but it's rare. My kids are too young to collect now, but we'll see what happens in the future.

App's or online games focused on or incorporating stamps might get more children interested. I started in stamp collecting when my parents bought me a beginners stamp album with packet stamps and a packet of hinges. Now it would have been an ipad.

I have seen a few youth collectors at local show. One who also exhibits is home-schooled and his father is also a stamp collector.

For the last two years, our club of 45 members has made presentations to students in Grade 3 to 5 about stamp collecting and how it could relate to education ie geography, history, sports. They have been involved with two different schools and this year the teachers have requested information on bilingualism and black history month. We also give the students free packages of stamps pertaining to the subject matter in addition to stamps that would pertain to a wide area of interest. I haven't noticed a huge influx of young collectors at our bourses but there more of youngsters attending with adults. It is sometimes difficult to determine if the child or the parent or both are collectors. So all may not be lost, it will take time and persistence to nurture their interest.

I had exactly the same experience. I was about 8 years old. My 14-year old daughter has no interest (couldn't get her away from her iPhone!).

I too have seen a few young folks at various shows, but I doubt many parents are giving their kids beginners stamps and album anymore.

When I was attending meetings at my local club I usually was the youngest person there, I just turned 70. Sort of tells the story.

I read a letter in this week's 'Numismatic news' (I collect coins somewhat) from a guy who related that he showed a stamp collection to a very bright young man in his late teens. He had no idea what it was or that people collected such things.

We're in deep trouble, folks.

I have three daughters - the twins are 9 and their little sister is 7. All 3 have their stamp collection, and all three spend some time periodically with it. One of the twins, however, is far more "into" her stamp collection. She frequently works on it, likes to go to stamp club (on auction night) and enjoys hitting the annual stamp show here.

I couldn't get my two boys interested. On was interested in my collection if German States. He has lived in Germany and is fluent in the language. Interested, but not enough to start collecting on his own

If we want to attract younger audiences, we need to speak their language and use modern media, which is very visually oriented.

The good news is that stamps can be very visual. Modern issues often feature stunning graphics by very talented artists, and they cover almost every conceivable subject.

The bad news is that most of the websites and media for stamp collectors often looks like it was designed in the 1990's. Take a look at a few video gaming fan sites, and compare them with a few stamp collecting sites and you will really see the differences.

We should ask ourselves, -- how many websites for stamps were designed (not just adapted) as mobile friendly? I know for DCStamps, I have designed it to be responsive (e.g. able to be viewed by mobile devices), but I know I have a long way to go to truly make it mobile friendly.

But web pages are just the minimum.

I just checked to see how many YouTube Channels (not just a couple of instructional videos) there are about Stamp collecting. While there are a few, most are either from auction houses or stamp dealers trying to sell something.

The state of the hobby reminds me of a quote I once saw under the picture of a dinosaur -- "Nature isn't kind to those who cannot adapt".

No individual can turn things around, and large group like APS or the American Topical Association need to really begin thinking outside of the box on how to attract younger folks.

IMHO

Hey, wait a minute! I worked hard to make sure that Stamp Smarter does not look like it was designed in 1995! I developed online games AND online videos.

I do get some feedback from school teachers and other who work with kids about the kid friendly features on Stamp Smarter. If there was more I am sure that teachers would search it out online and use it.

Due to this, I have planed for a while to try publishing a number of well written philatelic lesson plans for teachers. They will be targeted at various age groups but all would include some relationship to our hobby.

I also had some success with kids and decoupage lamp shades (http://stampsmarter.com/learning/Ho...upage.html). I am making these and then giving them to young kids who have little or no exposure to stamp collecting. I try to include themed stamps which might capture their attention (i.e. space, dinosaurs, butterfly's, flowers, Disney, etc.). So far this has worked about 50% of the time (Meaning the kids follow-up with me and want to know more about stamp collecting. I them give them an album and stamps.)

Don

i agree on the modern media. Not many interesting video for stamps on youtube... auction house website are extremely poor if we compare to sports auction house website like REA auction etc. Its perhaps me the problem but I am not familiar with stamp network and don t understand the public sale etc.. how that work for now LOL Just need new adaptation since I am familiar with sport auction website.

in my local club I am the younger member at 36. I have 1 son who have 6 years old and have interest in stamps and he look at his album sometime but he are not crazy about that like me back then when I was 7 or 8 years old.

Great work Don!!

I have 4 children, all have had some joy with stamps when they were younger. My youngest is now 12, and he has unfortunately lost his interest, as have all the others as well when they turned into teenagers. I can only hope they carry with them a seed that can be nurtured later in life.

I believe you're right when pointing to our hobby's failure to adapt to technology, websites etc appealing for teenagers.

Sorry Don, I did qualify it as "most".

Checked out your site on my Samsung 6s, and it looks great.

Michael

The bad thing about the older demographic at clubs is that it tends to create an atmosphere that puts off potential younger attendees. I don't know too many people under 50 wanting to sit around a table with a bunch of guys telling racist/homophobic jokes, or bashing politicians they don't like.

not like that in my city club. older person yes but speak only about stamps trading and selling !