Seniors and Social Networking

Social media is ‘booming’ in all markets so when I hear talk about social media use by "seniors", I would ask what is a ‘senior’.  It used to be that people aged 65 and older were automatically classified as seniors because that was the age at which most people retired. Today, not all people over age 65 want to be called seniors…heck most of us cringe when we receive the AARP card at 50 (anyway I did)!

According to a Pew Research Center article Older Adults and Social Media, social networking use among people age 50 and older nearly doubled in the last year, up to 42% in 2010.

The point to this article is that recently someone said (to me) that persons in their 50’s (seniors) are not very tech savvy. I was floored, first because I fell into that age category and secondly because I do not think of myself as a senior.

So what age are we speaking about…what is a senior? As a member of the Baby Boomer set, I can state that many of us are very much into the internet and are fairly savy and comfortable with social media.  In fact, anyone over the age of 50 still working today has had to make the leap into the social networking sphere. I think that the aging baby boomer is likely to be more comfortable using technology to communicate than previous generations; i.e., their parents.  After all, many of us have become familiar with e-communication tools (emails, listservs, etc) and other tech gadgets (palm pilots, blackberries, etc.) in the work place.

Yes, I agree that persons over 65 are very hesitant to begin using the computer and those that do, usually restrict their usage to finance and news and an occasional "facebook" to view their grandchildren. However, the ‘push’ for social networking education for older Americans appears to be happening. Backed by such industry heavyweights as Comcast, Facebook and Microsoft, Project GOAL, a new D.C.-based organization, officially launched last Tuesday, May 10th, with the goal of getting more senior citizens on the Web.  (This was happening just as that someone was telling me anyone over the age of 50 is not tech savvy)

As far as persons in the over 75 group, this may be a bit more dangerous leap and I would wager they are more resistant to computers. They are also targeted by scammers looking to take advantage of their little computer knowledge or possible dwindling cognitive skill.  However, I believe that older adults learning how to navigate social media and how to use it as a tool to connect with others can alleviate feelings of loneliness & isolation.  It may also prove to be good for the intellectual well being of seniors as well.

Social media skill may be difficult for a senior to grasp at first but gaining some moderate computer knowledge will improve most anyone’s ability. The most serious issue is stolen personal information, hence the need for ‘training’ so that seniors wanting to be on the web socializing may do so while minimizing any personal and financial risks. As an advocate that works for and with seniors I see many of them engaged in learning…with the ability, desire and energy to focus on new technology.  

Obviously a senior with health impairments such as Dementia or Alzheimer's could become confused but on the other hand, there are many older Americans with amazingly interesting Facebook pages with links to arts, music, dance, news etc. and still many others using the web to communicate with family so stereotyping all seniors as ‘not tech savvy’ is plain foolish. Twitter and iPhone usage would be up also if the ‘right’ persons were willing to ‘home school’ the elderly on social media.  While there should be caution and concern over privacy and security, especially as more senior users come into the market, proper ‘media’ education will help minimize any risks.

There are tremendous possibilities for seniors to learn and benefit from the internet.  In the long run, making a senior or anyone who is home bound feel connected and less isolated is a good thing.  I hope that Seniors continue to embrace social media and that this ‘group of new learners’ keeps on growing.  Check first with your local Council on Aging for classes in this regard and please recommend in the comment section the whereabouts of any additional local internet education classes and/or training classes specifically designed for seniors that introduces them to the benefits of utilizing social networking to connect with family and friends.