Online social networking for the over 50s

Have you heard of any of the following: Facebook, MySpace, Bebo? Do you know what they are?

They are three of the most popular social networking websites around today. They all state that they give people the power to “share” – the single word that links them all. These sites are good for keeping in touch with people and as you must verify your contacts as you add them to your network of friends, they do have a degree of safety built in.

However another thing they have in common is that most users tend to be young. So what's considered young, i hear you ask? Well the main users are probably in their teens or twenties. Bebo is used by the youngest age group; Facebook a slightly older age group; and MySpace is on a slightly different track and leans toward music and musicians being an underlying common interest of users.

Many mature people feel that these social networking sites are not for them and understandably so.

But, if you are over 50, prepare to re-enter your comfort zone...

Introducing Saga Zone!

As we know, Saga offers a range of insuance products and services specifically for the over 50s. Saga Zone is a new online social community for the over 50s. Just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean you don’t want to keep in contact with old friends online, or even make new friends. Saga Zone gives you that opportunity, but with the “protection” of being only for those who are over 50. Even more great news – it’s free.

In common with other social networking sites, you are able to create your own profile page which enables you to share your interests with other users. You can also display your own photographs so everyone can see how young you still look! Saga Zone also has a forum area – this is where people can discuss any topic they like. It’s not instant chat, so you are afforded extra time if you're not too speedy with your typing and being a forum, it also offers additional “built-in safety”.

Saga has also created a “blog” area. Blog is short for weblog, and is a popular and growing form of an online diary. Unlike a forum or chat room, this is one person’s chance to air his/her own views of their lives (though comments from readers are also possible). A blog can be used to tell people what you’re doing day-to-day; others use them to write stories while others use them as advice centres or just to comment on what’s going on in the world. Consider it a healthy means to let off steam! The good thing is that only Saga Zone users can read your blog, so you can keep it to like-minded people.

Online social networking has arrived for the over 50s.

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