Social media may seem very complicated and confusing for those of us who did not grow up with it. However, not only is it a great platform to socialize with others, but it also comes with a slew of benefits, especially for older adults. From reuniting with old forgotten friends to gathering participants for a social event, social media is the perfect tool for connecting us with different types of people from all around the world. According to the Pew Research Center, those aged 65 and above who use social media have risen from just 5% in 2010 to 45% in 2021. So, why not join this growing group of older adults and enrich your life with social media? In this article, we talk about why you should use social media and the many benefits that come with it.
Connect with Family
With the ever-growing globalization of the world, you might see more and more of your family members choosing to move away. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to see them anymore. Children and grandchildren often post photos about what they are currently doing or share about special occasions on social media. Likewise, you can also share what you are doing in your life for them to see. Looking through such posts is a great way to stay updated about each other and could even be a conversation starter for the next family get-together.
Entertain Yourself
Finding yourself feeling bored during your retirement years? Then social media is the solution for you. Different social media can be full of different types of entertaining content. If you enjoy watching videos of any kind, head over to YouTube, if you want some new hobby ideas, Pinterest is the place. You won’t ever be bored scrolling through any social media.
Make New Friends
One of the main benefits of social media is its ability to allow us to meet new people and socialize. On social media platforms like Facebook, you can join groups about certain topics that interest you. Whether you enjoy crocheting, or football, there is a group for it out there, sometimes even a local group for your town. Some groups organize meetups for their members so you can see your new friends in real life and create stronger bonds with them.
Keep Yourself Informed
Social media is a place where people can share new information with others. As you scroll through your feed, you can come across news articles about current world affairs or a scientific report about new breakthroughs in medicine. These posts are a great opportunity to keep yourself informed about the world around you.
Improves Cognitive and Mental Health
There has been much research done to study the impact that social media has on social interaction and health. It turns out, having a strong social network on social media is linked with better cognitive and mental health. The University of Illinois conducted research that shows that older adults who use social media have higher cognition and are better at processing information than their peers who do not. Social media also keeps you socially active so that you can have a support group and ward off mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
