Socializing Senior Citizens on the Internet tagged: , , , ,

Socializing Senior Citizens on the Internet

Posted by in Personal Improvement

Move over kids, Grandma needs to update her status. Yes, it is true, Seniors are learning how to use the internet. There are even guides being written to help guide them through the twists and turns of social networking. But why are  grandmothers and grandfathers suddenly interesting in Facebook or Skype? The answer is simple: They are able to connect and chat with family and friends.

Senior Benefits

As kids grow into adult they have a natural desire to explore and live. Sometimes, it is not always easy to call home when out on a safari. However, if the family members at home have social networking account, communicating can be easy. The older folks are able to talk to their kids who may live ten miles away or ten thousand miles. Once seniors learn how to effectively and safely use the internet they are able to keep in contact with family and friends.

In some cases there are social networking sites that target older users. They are places for mature adults can meet and talk in chat rooms. They offer a  calmer environment than the social sites populated by teenagers and twenty-something’s. Who knows maybe grandpa can find a new lady to woo?

A benefit for the young ones: Messages from grandmothers and great aunts are free of cheek-pinching.

Staggering Growth Rates

Youngsters may have it in the bag when it comes to the number of users. However, the seniors when when the comes to new users. That’s right, the fastest-growing group of people using social networking sites is adults over the age of 65. And the second fastest growing group? Why, adults age 50-65, of course! The adults are trying to catch up to the young whippersnappers now.

What does this mean? Well, we will probably be seeing a lot more statuses like “Why are these kids driving do darn fast? Five mile per hours is plenty fast” or “Get off my page, ye darn kids!” Actually, it means that older adults are becoming more tech savvy. This is not a bad thing. Instead of calling Grandma, you can send her a heart felt message or poke. It will make planning family reunions or trips easier. But most of all it means that you can just talk to your older family and friends a lot easier.