Work

The Role of Social Media Networks for Aging Adults: Panacea, Plague, or Been There, Done That?

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Billions of people around the world rely on (or are addicted to) technology-based social networks such as Facebook. At first glance, particularly for aging adults with mobility challenges, internet-based networking seems like a panacea. At second glance, navigating through the thicket of ‘bots’, fraudsters and “fake friends” may turn out to be a plague. At third glance, technology-based interaction platforms are not that new (telegraph, telephone) and not that unusual. I examine the population-level trends in social network use by aging adults and discuss a recent CREATE intervention study, PRISM, that used a computer-based platform to try to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults at risk for social isolation.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.767

Author: Neil H Charness

Institution: Florida State University

Language: English

Topic: Technology Use by Older Adults

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977