Boomers and Social Media is a report from eMarketer.com that looks at facts from May, 2009. That information found that 47% of all baby boomers who employ the Internet maintain a profile on at least one social networking online site. That's an expansion of 15% from 2008. Facebook seems to be the social media site preferred by baby boomers as well as the WWII generation. (via New Report Shows Boomers, Seniors Like Social Media.)
I have wholeheartedly advocated seniors on computers and the Internet as a way of sustaining a great quality of life for my aging peers, specifically in the area of memory improvement. I, myself, possess a Facebook account and a few other social media accounts, as well. I inspect my Facebook page just about every day because it helps me keep up with individuals I know all over the world. In truth, I have never met some of them face-to-face, and others I haven't seen for fifty years or more!
On Facebook you will come across many activities for senior citizens, as well as special groups about everything you can visualize. It is possible that you will find alumni groups for your high school, people who grew up in your home town, or even your family! If not, you can launch a senior community of your own, or any other kind of group you like! Seniors on Facebook have a number of groups, and I subscribe to a variety of of them myself.
If you are reading this it is probable that you are a computer user. As such, you will already know about the advantages to be gained by owning and using a personal computer. However, you likely also know that many seniors are heedless of the things they can do with a computer, or are manifestly put off by the concept of using computers. This is a difficulty for both them and for us, because we desire the interactions we might have with them. In fact, if you are the child or grandchild of a senior who doesn't use a computer or the Internet, you will almost undeniably profit from providing that individual a reprint of this article!
Here are some of the qualities of Facebook that make it so outstanding for seniors:
The Wall consists of a space on every user's profile that encourages friends to post announcements and questions for the user to see.
Photos, where Facebook users can copy albums and photos. Privacy setups can be established for specific albums, limiting the groups of users that can check out an album. For example, the privacy of an album can be set so that only the Facebook member's friends can see the album, while the privacy of another album can be set so that all Facebook users can see it. Another feature of the Photos application is the ability to "tag", or label users in a photo. For instance, if a snapshot contains a user's friend, then the user can tag the friend in the photo. This sends a notification to the friend that they have been tagged, and provides them a link to see the photograph.
Status, which permits users to tell their friends of their place and actions. With certain how privacy is established, a person who can view a user's profile can also see that user's Wall. Facebook also allows users to post attachments to the Wall.
News Feed, that shows up on every Facebook member's homepage and publicizes information including profile changes, upcoming events, and birthdays of the user's friends, if users decide to allow this.
Facebook Notes, a blogging feature that allows tags and embeddable images.
Gifts , which allows users to send virtual gifts and cards to their friends
Marketplace, which lets users post free classified ads.
Facebook is very effortless to sign up for, and the levels of privacy at your disposal will make nearly all seniors comfortable. If you want to try it out without joining, use your web browser to proceed to the Facebook internet site, Facebook.com. Once you have arrived at that page, click on the "Find Friends" link at the bottom of the page. On the ensuing page, fill in my name, Robert Alan McCluskey, in the space labeled Search for People, and press the enter key or click the magnifying glass. Next you will get a page that identifies me. Click on my name (Robert Alan McCluskey again) to validate that I am the correct person and you will see a brief selection of my Facebook profile. If you are interested in proceeding, click on the Sign Up button to the right of my profile and follow the directions. You will rapidly discover the many activities for seniors, as well as a great many of other wonderful things! See you on my friends list!