What is Facebook? How does Facebook benefit seniors?

Facebook, an internet social medium that was originally created by and for college students, has been gaining popularity among seniors. Since September 2008, the number of women and men over the age of 55 using Facebook has increased by 175.3% and 137.8% respectively. Seniors are in fact becoming one of the fastest growing Facebook users. While this social medium may have started out as a 21st century craze for the younger folk, it actually provides several benefits for older adults (1).

One of these benefits includes maintaining one’s social network. Facebook allows older adults to keep in touch with new and old friends. It also allows individuals to keep ties with family members who live close by or far away. For example, one can view a family member or friend’s recent photos, send a personalized message, get updates on who they should reconnect with, and monitor the current statuses of family members and friends (2).

Out of the adults 50 years and older who use this social media, three out of five use it to connect with their children, one out of three utilize it to keep in touch with their grandchildren, and three out of four communicate with their relatives through Facebook (3). Thus, for older adults, Facebook makes it easier to stay connected to the outside world and keep friend and family ties from the comfort of one’s own home. It has been shown that seniors who stay in touch with others and remain socially active are happier and live longer (4).

Click here to visit IHA on Facebook.

What is Twitter? How does Twitter benefit seniors?

Like Facebook, Twitter has become an online social networking phenomenon. Unlike Facebook, this service only allows its users to compose (140 characters macx), post, and read other user messages known as “tweets” which inform friends of your current status. Users do not have to make an extensive profile and there are not as many features.

The simplicity of Twitter may be better suited to seniors who do not have as much experience on the internet (5). Seniors can use it to let their loved ones know what is on their schedule for the day, to keep friends and family informed of their activities and how they feel, and to keep track of others and their respective statuses

What is Skype? How does Skype benefit seniors?

Skype is a software application that allows individuals to make calls over the internet, often at no cost or lower rates than traditional long-distance calls. In addition to traditional calls, it also provides such perks as file transferring, instant messaging, group chats, and video conferencing. It has become one of the largest international voice carriers in the world, where as of 2009, the application has 521 billion total account users (6).

For seniors, one of the main benefits of Skype is that one can have a conversation and stay connected with family members and friends who are far away without having to leave the home. For example, 50 percent of grandparents live far from their grandchildren and often feel that they are unable to have a relationship with them. However, using the video chat tool, a grandparent can have a live “face to face” chat with their far away grandchild and can play a part in their lives through an ongoing virtual relationship (7).

How can I maintain privacy when using these technologies?

By allowing individuals to post personal information on the web, Facebook, Skype, and Twitter may subject their users to privacy issues. There have been several incidences in the past where individuals have had their profile data shared or accessed by advertising companies or those without permission. While these companies are making efforts to protect their users, it is still a good idea to take precautionary measures. Here are some tips on how to maintain privacy on these applications:

• Limit what you put on these internet application sites


• Go through the privacy settings regularly


• Limit your friends to people you already know or trust


• Be aware of changes and updates to policies and settings


• Never assume complete privacy

Where can I get more information about these internet spplications/tools?

To learn how to use Facebook, click here to view or download "Facebook Manual" created by The Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro.

General information about these internet applications can be found online at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype

References:

1.“Seniors Among Fastest Growing Facebook Users” (2009). Marketing, News, Reverse Mortgage, Technology. http://reversemortgagedaily.com/2009/03/02/seniors-among-fastest-growing-facebook-users/
2.“Why Facebook is for Old Fogies” (2009). Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1879169,00.html
3.“Social Media and Technology Use Among Adults 50+.” (2010). AARP. http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/socmedia.pdf
4.Lubben, J. & Gironda, M. (2003). Chapter 14: Centrality of social ties to the health and well being of older adults. Social Work and health care in an aging society: education, policy, practice, and research. Springer Publishing Company: New York.
5.Owens, Alejandra. (2009). Twitter on the Rise, Thanks to You. http://blog.aarp.org/shaarpsession/2009/04/twitter_on_the_rise_thanks_to.html
6.Ricknas, M. (2009). Skype is largest international voice carrier, says study. IDG News Service. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/032509-skype-is-largest-international-voice.html?tc=vc=html.
7.Ames, Morgan G. et al. (2010). Making love in the network closet: the benefits and work of family videochat. Computer Supported Cooperative Work. http://www.stanford.edu/~morganya/research/ames-cscw10-videochat.pdf