Older Folks on Social Networks Are Growing Fast
Barry Levine, newsfactor.com – Fri Aug 27, 5:06 pm ET
In the past decade the technological advances we have encountered are almost overwhelming. It is hard to imagine what life would be like without Internet. Over the past couple of years things like social networking has replaced the older ways of communicating. The younger generation rarely uses things like email to keep in touch; instead, they use social networking sites like Twitter, Myspace, or Facebook. In the past year however, these networking sites have opened up and appealed to a wide new array of people from various age groups.
According to a study performed by the American Life Project and Pew Research Center, Internet users over 50 have doubled their numbers on social networking sites. This number reflects the increasing popularity of Internet among the older generations. Although, social networking sites are still dominated by users primarily between 18 and 29 years old, with approximately 86% of people between these ages belonging to some form of social networking site. The numbers of older generations are catching up quick.
Many argue that this collaboration of ages on social networking sites will be beneficial because it bridges the gaps between the generations and makes communication much easier.I personally dislike the influx of older users on social networking sites. I believe that it will likely cause much more harm that good. I understand that it is beneficial because it is easier to talk with Grandma over the Internet, but it is also much less personal. Social networking has caused people to forge impersonal relationships and made communication almost TOO easy.
Back to what I said about social networking between the young and old being detrimental…I don’t think it is necessarily safe for a variety of reasons. One being that many teens are actively involved on social networking sites. This makes it so easy for older predators to communicate with these kids, manipulate them, and possible take advantage. It makes conversation easy, and private…something these predators would have trouble doing in our everyday world.
Also, with the changing times, it seems many elders don’t have a grip on what is now socially acceptable. It can cause big problems when people have pictures tagged of them drinking, or getting a tattoo…and then changing a relationship status to “married” to a best friend of the same sex as a joke. The older generation doesn’t understand, and it causes problems.
It really gets old having everyone and their grandpa trying to add my on Facebook every time I sign in.
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