All the current trend data shows a very aging population of scuba participants. While immediately not problematic, it has some long term consequences obviously. Given the rising costs and stagnant wages that face millennials and Gen Z, coupled with housing crisis, scuba isn’t an attractive activity for many. High initial cost, highly gear intensive, moderate to high on going costs, and needing storage area for said gear all sort of conspire against the sport.
Message board just aren’t popular with the younger generations. Newer social media platforms way out paces message board usage. It’s not a figuring out, but an active avoidance of. Also you hear SB having a salty and hive mind reputation on the social media they do use, and it’s no small wonder few make the jump over. Go look at Reddit’s scuba subreddit, same thread/poll 1,300 votes and a MUCH younger demographic (probably overly representing younger divers honestly). Forums are where their parents and grandparents socialize online, so they go elsewhere. Looking at the ages in two polls this lines up pretty well.
Obviously the above answers are generalizations and you can find individual counter examples but looking at the generations as whole is more what matters.
Source: MBA digital product marketing class I just wrapped up lol, and did a side project on scuba.
Edit: 37, certified in 2012, ~400 dives (two major surgeries really put a damper on my diving for