Why do older people seem so fond of using articles?

Asked by Nimis (13255) August 14th, 2011 from iPhone

Maybe it’s just a hard habit to break? Or is it more that younger people like dropping articles?

Examples:
– a Facebook
– the Twitter

Does it speak to some kind of significance the speaker holds for these things?

Example:
– take 5 freeway (NorCal)
– take the 5 freeway (SoCal)

The difference in expressions could be explained by how driving and freeways play a larger role in southern California. Maybe the article adds emphasis?

But would that logic hold true for the example of Facebook, etc.? Doesn’t seem like it…hrmm.