Social Media Apps for Seniors: 5 Apps to Keep You Connected with Family and Friends
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Social Media Apps for Seniors: 5 Apps to Keep You Connected with Family and Friends

Social Media Apps for Seniors: 5 Apps to Keep You Connected with Family and Friends

After the holidays, it's crucial for senior loved ones to remain connected to their family and friends. Social media applications and websites help seniors communicate electronically throughout the entire year. Many Apps are easy to use, popular with all age groups, and don't cost money. Here's our guide to the best social media applications for seniors:

5 Social Media Apps for Seniors

1. Meta (Facebook)

According to Statista data reports, Meta (the social network known as Facebook until 2021) has 2.96 billion users who access the website at least once per month. Meta is excellent for the elderly because it helps seniors connect with long-lost classmates, friends, and acquaintances. Instead of people from the past remaining in the past or seniors falling out of touch due to relocating throughout life, persons over the age of 65 can reconnect online. Out of the billions of users, it's highly likely that seniors can add their actual high school friends, former people from their careers, and people from their hometowns online.

Here are a few things to consider about getting the safest and most rewarding Meta experience:

  • Meta is relatively straightforward to use and is accessible on regular computers and smartphones
  • Users are able to add friends and acquaintances, share pictures, and post about their lives
  • It's possible for seniors to set their profile to "Private" under the "Settings" tab
  • Meta has a Marketplace and seniors can exchange money and goods on this platform
  • If your senior loved one is concerned about scams, then don't connect their bank information to the account
  • Enable two-factor authentication to make sure senior loved ones don't fall for phishing or hacking attempts
  • If an unauthorized person tries to access their account, the user is notified via phone or email.

In some ways, looking someone up on Facebook is like looking for them in the phonebook and seeing their listing. It's an easy, free way to establish contact and speak to old friends. 

2. Senior Planet Community

If your senior loved one grows tired of the endless memes unique to younger age groups or wants to speak with people their own age only, then Senior Planet Community (SPC) is a perfect alternative. The perk of using SPC is that it was established by the American Association of Retired Persons, so the content creators and designers have seniors' interests and accessibility needs in mind. This community is for those 60+, so only clients who meet the age threshold are welcome to join and associate with their peers.

3. Reddit

While some may believe Reddit is marketed to a younger, tech-savvy audience, it is an expansive platform filled with communities. For more text-oriented types and life-long readers, Reddit is a place to write and socialize with people anonymously online. For seniors who enjoy writing, Reddit is moderated by volunteers and is a place to communicate using words for those who are less comfortable with picture-oriented Meta and Instagram. 

4. Instagram

People of any age who enjoy taking photos and sharing moments of their life in picture format may enjoy Instagram. Based on HootSuite's demographic studies, 2.1% of Instagram's base is comprised of the elderly. While there may be fewer elderly people on Instagram, there are many professional photographers who have accounts and post beautiful content. Those who enjoy photography and fashion might enjoy this platform more than others. 

5. YouTube

Millions of people access YouTube daily and use it as a free way to access music, videos, and information online. The comments sections also allow users to interact and socialize. Senior clients can upload their own videos or spend hours listening to oldies and connecting with others on that page. 

About Senior Helpers Blue Ridge

Senior Helpers Blue Ridge is happy to partner with seniors and their care teams in Central Virginia, particularly around Charlottesville, Warrenton, and Winchester. Contact us at the Blue Ridge office for more advice on helping seniors stay connected to the world, and get in touch with us today!