Senior CitizensThrong in on Facebook.

Are seniors becoming the new power user on Facebook? The landscape of Facebook is constantly changing and few are aware that people over 65 are taking classes about Facebook and using it as a social outlet and gaming source more and more everyday. SeniorNet was among the first to foresee this growing trend, which is why it offers social media courses as part of its curriculum.
This infographic illustrates the rampant growth of seniors using Facebook!
- See more at: http://seniornet.org/blog/the-new-facebook-user-senior-citizens-infographic/#sthash.w2dSDBVC.dpuf

Are seniors becoming the new power user on Facebook? The landscape of Facebook is constantly changing and few are aware that people over 65 are taking classes about Facebook and using it as a social outlet and gaming source more and more everyday. SeniorNet was among the first to foresee this growing trend, which is why it offers social media courses as part of its curriculum.
This infographic illustrates the rampant growth of seniors using Facebook!
- See more at: http://seniornet.org/blog/the-new-facebook-user-senior-citizens-infographic/#sthash.w2dSDBVC.dpuf

     For some, it acts as a lifeline, connecting them with their dear ones while for others, it's a new hobby. Either way, Facebook (FB) is the new hit among the aged.

Talking to a number of people in the city revealed that the fastest growing section for Facebook consists of people over 50 years of age. Elderly Patnaites are increasingly taking to social media. The reason for 50+ population flocking to FB is as varied as a need to keep in touch with family and friends, hunt for people from their past or wanting merely to be a part of changing times. 

Extremely active on FB, 65-year-old Tejrashi Mehrotra, an ex-teacher of Notre Dame Academy, said, "I previously had an account on Orkut and later, in 2007, I switched over to FB. Since then, my mantra has been to begin my day with signing in." Asked about the significance of social networking in her life, she said, "I think it's important to keep your grey cells engaged at such an age. FB helps me stay connected with all my students and colleagues. It's like my life's story unfolding on a screen. I make sure I wish all the people who have their birthdays coming up, and we share photos online too." 

On the other hand, a large number of this age group comes into this picture only by creating an account on the social networking site. Limiting their adventurous sides, they haven't really been on the go as far as social media is concerned and so, terms like 'Tagging' or 'Unfriend' aren't very well-known. 

"My daughter created my account a few months ago but I don't know much about it," said 55-year-old Mamta Tiwary, residing in Boring Canal Road area, "Even now, when faced with one of the many confusing scenarios FB presents, she is the one who helps me figure it out. My interaction is limited to visiting my page once a day before I go to bed."

Fifty-year-old Prabhat Trivedi, who had his account created by his daughter about two years ago, echoes the same line of thought. Updating status and changing cover photos aren't in his to-do list. "I can't find enough time to use FB much. When online, I mainly chat with my relatives and friends." 

Even though the percentage of Patnaites over age 50 who are joining Facebook has been on the rise, some of the older members have started to lose interest. "I joined Facebook about five years ago and was a regular user until a year ago," said V K Manchanda, a 65-year-old member. "I used to spend three to four hours every day, gathering all my relatives and creating a family tree but now, I don't log in often. Any argument in the family is blown up and discussed over Facebook and I get inevitably dragged into it."

"Be it among addicted teenagers or the middle-aged, Facebook has always been a rage. But, the presence of a family's older members on FB is now becoming more obvious than ever." said Anandpuri resident Amrit Jha, 35.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            SOURCE:TNN