Seniors have been the slowest adopters of Internet use, with the vast majority taking to email first, and other online resources more reluctantly. However, this year seniors hit a milestone: more than half of Americans who are 65 or older now use the Internet. That is the first time data have shown more than 50 percent of seniors going online. A study this year by the Pew Research Center found that 53 percent of older Americans use the Internet or email. Just over a third (34 percent) use social networks like Facebook. However this is still well below the rest of the adult population, where 80 percent are now online.
Here are the top ways seniors can use the internet as a resource. Some of the reasons that Internet use has continued to gain popularity among seniors and why you or your loved one might want to consider trying it out if you have not already:
Keeping in touch
The Internet in general, and Social Media in particular, is a remarkable tool for connecting with people, especially for seniors who wish to keep in touch with family. But seniors have also found that they can reconnect with their college roommates, their childhood best friends, or even lost loves through the power of social networking. The Internet enables us to view videos, read blog posts, share pictures and have conversations with people living far way and those whom we thought we’d never see again.
Information Resource
Seniors use the Internet to find information about anything and everything. It can lead them to cultivate hobbies, develop business ideas, learn more about new products, or work on their genealogy. Virtually any topic of interest they can research and find information about if they know how to do searches through Google or other search engines.
Answer Questions
By using the online tools available, many senior citizens can reach out via Twitter, Facebook, videos, blogs and live chats to answer questions they may have. They can find forums about virtually any topic online.
Entertainment
Seniors can watch old television shows and movies, as well as find videos from “back in the day,” on paid sites like Netflix and Amazon or even for free on sites like Hulu or YouTube. They can read ebooks, newspapers and magazines, articles and blog posts of interest, look up song lyrics and find out what their favorite entertainers are up to. They can play games, either by themselves or with family and friends. Seniors who are confined to their homes don’t have to feel as isolated when they’re home alone. And many of these sources of entertainment are free.
Online Commerce
Whether balancing your bank book or buying a sweater on Amazon, the Internet allows seniors to do a variety of tasks that are increasingly difficult as they lose their mobility in later years—all from the comfort of home. There are also an increasing number of companies offering senior discounts to entice this more reticent demographic to shop online.
Learn
Just because one is older doesn’t necessarily mean one wants to stop learning. Many seniors are now taking courses online as well as using a variety of online resources to keep informed and keep their minds active.
Meet New People
The social networks allow people of all ages to meet others, for both business and pleasure. From online meetings seniors can plan offline meet-ups and networking events with people of their own age and similar interests.
Find work
65 is not necessarily retirement age for seniors anymore. Many would like to continue working, if not full time, then as a consultant or freelancer. A number of online networks enable them to find opportunities, post online resumes and view and apply for job listings.
—By Caren Parnes
For The Senior’s Choice
Seniors Using the Internet
