Silver Surfers Splash Onto Facebook

With the rise of the “silver surfer” on the internet, older people have increasingly begun to dabble in social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Recognising the potential of these media channels to help over 60s and 70s stay in touch with family and even make new friends, many institutions are now offering lessons.

Age UK, for example, offers lessons to older people who are interested in using Facebook. The tutor, Ted, is also in his 60s and is a volunteer at Age UK Perry Barr Birmingham.

He said: "When your grandkids and kids are on the computer so much it makes sense that this is the easiest way of getting hold of them."

A report in the Independent noted that Age UK is joined by associations like The Salvation Army and the University of the Third Age in an attempt to help older people stay in touch. Statistics up to April 2011 seemed to confirm that it was working.

In April of this year, Facebook visitors over the age of 65 more than doubled, from 557,000 to 1,339,000 in two years.

Among all the negativity in the media, it is nice to see that social networking can achieve something purely good, like helping an older person connect with family.

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