Social Media Tips for Seniors

Social media usage grows each year, and for many people, it's their primary form of communication. Especially during the global Covid-19 pandemic, many people turned to social media to stay connected with their family and friends. If you're unfamiliar with social media, the idea of connecting with people online might feel overwhelming. But when you understand what social media is and how to stay safe, joining a platform can be highly beneficial!

 

What is Social Media

Social media is any digital tool that allows users to share and create content with other people. There are currently more than 100 social media platforms available in the United States. Some of the more popular ones include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. Each social media platform has a niche for what it does and who it targets. Facebook users tend to be older millennials and older adults who want to connect with friends and family. Instagram is a photo-sharing platform primarily used by millennials. Twitter is a microblogging platform many people use for real-time updates. LinkedIn focuses on professional networking, and TikTok gives users the ability to create and share short videos.

The Benefits of Social Media for Seniors

Social media isn't just for the younger generations. There are a lot of perks to joining social media for older adults too.

• Stay connected with your friends and family. Social media platforms such as Facebook are a great way to stay connected with your friends and family, especially those that live far away. It's also a fun way to reconnect with friends you haven't seen in a while.
• Connect with new friends from the safety and comfort of your own home. Facebook and LinkedIn have public and private groups you can join based on different interests you have. Once you join a group, you can connect with other individuals interested in the same topic. You can find groups for everything from fish enthusiasts to coin collectors and retired teachers.
• Stay updated on the news. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are great ways to stay updated on the news worldwide. You can choose to follow your favorite daily papers or news outlets to curate a personalized news stream on the topics that are of most interest to you.

Staying Safe on Social Media

Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers on social media targeting older adults. Keep yourself safe by following these precautions.

• Don't provide personal information to any via social media. There are scammers on social media looking to steal people's identity. If someone you don't know asks for your phone number, address, social security, or banking information, don't give it to them.
• Don't send money to anyone you've met on social media. Another trick with scammers is connecting with you on social media, befriend or building trust with you, and then asking for money. If someone on social media asks you to send them money or asks for your credit card information, don't do it. They're looking to steal your money.
• Keep your profiles set to private, and only approve people you know. All social media platforms have privacy settings that won't allow people to see your profile unless you accept a request from them. Ensure all of your social accounts are set to private and only accept requests from people who know in real life.
• Don't post photos or content that reveal too much personal information. Even if your settings are private and you only connect with friends and family, you should still be thinking about what you post on the internet. Before posting a photo, make sure there's no personal information in sight, such as your street address if you took the image outside your home. Also, be wary of posting live updates with location tags that allow people to see where you are.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you're a senior wanting to get started on social media, the Visiting Angels team would be happy to help. Our caregivers can provide assistance setting up an account, connecting with loved ones, and walking you through the basics of using each platform. In addition to helping use social media, our caregivers can also provide light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and medication reminders.

Our Powder Springs office serves those in Marietta, Austell, Powder Springs, Dallas, and the surrounding Georgia areas. If you'd like to learn more about our services, you can fill out this form online or give us a call at 770.222.7388.