Although social media is still fairly new and different, older adults have been steadily adopting it as part of their lives. According to the surveys conducted by Pew Research Center, social media usage among those aged 65 and above have risen from just 5% in 2010 to an astounding 45% in 2021. Social media has revolutionized the way we interact with others. From organizing local events to reuniting with long lost friends, social media has allowed us to connect with all sorts of people from around the world. Social media not only provides these social opportunities, but is also beneficial for their health. Read on to learn more about the many benefits of social media for seniors.
Keep in Touch with Family
With family members choosing to move further away than ever, social media is the perfect platform to keep in touch with them. Children and grandchildren will often post pictures about their day or during special events and with social media, you can share these happy memories with them. You can even share about your own life for them to see. Such posts are great to keep updated about your loved ones lives as well as a great conversation starter when you meet the next time. Generations of family members can talk to each other and stay connected with social media.
Make New Friends
As the name suggests, social media is a place to socialize and meet people. You can join interest groups on social media platforms like Facebook to connect with like-minded people who enjoy the same things you do or are similar to you. These groups also frequently organize group meet ups so that you can talk to your new friends face-to-face to form a stronger bond. Additionally, with everyone being on social media, you can potentially find long lost friends and rekindle your friendships.
Improves Cognitive and Mental Health
It is commonly known that a strong social network is associated with improved mental and cognitive health. This includes interacting with family and friends on social media as well. A study conducted by the University of Illinois have shown that older adults who use social media tend to be better at processing information and have higher cognitive function than those who do not. Staying socially active can also build a strong psychological support and prevent the development of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
Keep Yourself Informed
Life-long learning is a virtue that we should all strive for. Social media can be a place full of information from scientific breakthrough to current world affairs. Scrolling through your feed can expose you to such information and link you to sources which can provide you with more context on the situation. You can also find learning opportunities from nearby community colleges who advertise themselves on social media.
Entertain Yourself
Social media is the best place to find a ton of entertaining content. Whether it is reliving through past happy memories, playing games, watching a funny clip, or reading informative articles, social media can provide you with many ways to learn and laugh. With the endless options offered, you will never be bored surfing through social media.
