Betty White on facebook

4 Reasons Why Older People Choose Social Networks

by dexterhan on Aug 30, 2010

Here are four reasons why Facebook, Twitter and other social networks are not just for kids anymore:


Reconnecting
Using Facebook to find old friends and colleagues isn't unique to any one demographic, but Pew says roughly seven out of ten people have used social networks for this purpose. Roughly half of adults ages 50 and over have been contacted by someone from their past through a social network. As people retire or change careers, social networks can be a way to stay in touch or get support.

Chronic Disease
Morbid as this sounds, Pew notes that Internet users with chronic diseases are more likely to blog or participate in online discussions, and older folks are more likely to have these diseases. Put those two factors together, and you've got a strong argument for social networking as a way to find communities of people with similar experiences.

Bridging the Generation Gap
Pew says older folks may...Read More >>