The world of social media is constantly growing and evolving, with more and more people using it every day. According to statisticbrain.com, there are over 1.2 Billion facebook users worldwide and an average of 190 million tweets a day.
While younger generations still dominate the social media landscape, older users are becoming more and more prevalent. According to a report released by Pew Internet, 2012 was the 3rd consecutive year that baby boomers have used social media in higher numbers and 44% of adults ages 60-90 said they periodically use social networking.
As of February 2012, one third (34%) of internet users age 65 and older use social networking sites such as Facebook, and 18% do so on a typical day.
Social media use can benefit seniors by keeping them connected to friends and loved ones as well as discussing things like health issues or current ailments.
This article outlines 11 reasons why seniors should care about social media.
Social media may also contribute to mental health. Janelle Wohltmann, a researcher and grad student at the University of Arizona’s Department of Psychology, found that social media can build cognitive performance in seniors too. In a recent study, she found that seniors using social media did 25% better on memory tests than seniors who stayed away from sites like Facebook altogether.
Despite the benefits social media can have, it is still important to remain cautious on the internet. You should not share when you are going on vacation or share too much personal information. To see more tips on how to protect your privacy online, click here.
