Social networks have become an integral part of the average person’s life over the last two decades. According to the University of Maine, there are about 4.8 billion social media users worldwide. That staggering number is almost 93% of all internet users — and nearly 60% of the Human population.
But how does social media affect senior behavioral health? Is social media useful for fostering elderly friendships and providing aging population support? With so many questions about social media and how it relates to our elders, there’s a lot to cover.
If you’re curious about the power of social networks, we’re here to offer our guidance. Read on to learn more about senior behavioral health and how social media can impact seniors.
- Guiding Community Involvement
- Handling Loneliness
- Keeping In Touch
- Knowing the Risks
Guiding Community Involvement
One of the most important factors of social media is how it helps to guide community involvement. That’s to say, few things are better at keeping seniors socializing than social media.
That’s not necessarily a surprise. According to Science Direct, roughly 81% of all adults aged 65 or older used the internet for some sort of social purpose. These include:
- Writing messages to loved ones
- Using sites like Facebook or Twitter (Now X)
- Engaging with political messaging or correspondence
With so many ways to engage with the community, seniors have more ways than ever to socialize. That goes a long way toward staying social and active, battling loneliness, and more.
Battling Loneliness
Speaking of battling loneliness, this is one of the most prominent issues facing elderly communities. According to the University of Michigan, one in three adults 50 or older feel isolated or alone.
In modern political climates, this is believed to have surged. Divisive politics — especially when it comes to common viewpoints for the elderly versus younger generations — have led many people to only socialize with people “in their camp,” so to speak.
Social media is ideal for battling loneliness and encouraging community involvement. The only issue is that this can sometimes stay online. That is to say, some seniors engage with friends on social media, but neglect making a social circle offline.
Our favorite use of social media is to enhance one’s engagement with the community. The best way to do so is to engage with your community through local pages, local businesses, hobby groups, and more.
For example, using social media to find fellow gardeners to start a community garden. Another good example is finding classes or wellness circles to join. Social media can help you find these groups, befriend them, and grow your personal circle.
Keeping in Touch
Not everything is about making more friends. A core cause of loneliness is growing distant from the people you already had in your life. You should also consider what services and amenities your community offers to help with this.
Part of that can come from the natural progression of life. As we age, it’s common for our friends to pass on, grow distant, or otherwise fall out of touch.
It’s also common for families to move apart, especially in the chase of careers, work, marriage, and more. While these are all things that should be celebrated, it can have the unfortunate effect of some family members feeling left behind.
Social media is integral for staying in touch with your loved ones and family members. Many social media sites such as Facebook have a larger population of older users. That’s in part because of this use.
According to Oberlo, about 58% of social media users above the age of 65 use Facebook. The only site with more is YouTube at around 60%. Other sites like Pinterest, WhatsApp, and Instagram make up the rest.
Part of that is because Facebook and YouTube have an easier-to-use format that compliments the lack of technological literacy seniors often have. Another is that Facebook in particular is focused on staying in touch with others.
Risks of Social Media on Elderly Mental Wellness
While social media is great for providing aging population support, that doesn’t mean it’s flawless. Beyond elderly friendships and improving elderly mental wellness, there are some risks to the use of social media. Here are some issues to keep in mind.
Misinformation
One of the most prevalent issues on social media is misinformation. There’s no particular site that’s worse on this than the others, depending on what sort of misinformation you’re looking for.
It’s also easy for seniors to fail to spot such misinformation. “Internet natives” such as Millenials and younger generations are often able to spot problematic posts or outright lies. Seniors who didn’t grow up with the internet sometimes struggle.
That can be particularly problematic for the lonely or cognitively declining. A study from Harvard shows that misinformation is made worse depending on who’s presenting it and where.
That is to say that an authority figure can easily spread misinformation on a popular site. Their fans are more likely to believe them, and a site being popular makes it easier to believe it’s reputable. Do your best to battle misinformation and avoid getting stuck in such situations with your elders.
Inappropriate Content
Another issue that can arise is inappropriate content for seniors. In some ways, misinformation falls into this grouping. In others, you’ll focus more on things like overly-explicit imagery.
One common issue is scams or phishing attempts. As with misinformation, many elderly internet users aren’t able to find the flaws in how such scams are presented. That often leads to unfortunate circumstances and victimhood for the elderly.
Think of what sorts of issues can arise from inappropriate content. At times, things like behavioral therapy for seniors can become necessary if you’re worried about what content your loved one is consuming.
Understanding Senior Behavioral Health and Social Media
Senior behavioral health is a complex issue only made more difficult by the introduction of social media. Consider what risks are at play before guaranteeing full access to social media for your elderly loved one.
At the TerraBella Rock Hill community, we’re happy to provide you with a happy, wholesome South Carolina living space. Our team of caregivers is committed to cultivating a healthy and safe environment that’s warm, welcoming, and compassionate. Contact us to see how we can help you on this journey.
