Facebook is the largest social networking site on the Internet. Research indicates that Older Adults age 74 and above are among the fastest growing group now embracing social networking sites, including Facebook. This just goes to show that Seniors can learn Facebook and are participating regularly! Recent studies even indicate that Facebook helps Seniors feel more connected, may boost morale and can even help improve brain cognition!
Some benefits of joining Facebook include:
- You can see and share information on Facebook instantly
- You can use Facebook to make video calls to friends and family
- You can be more involved in the lives of your loved ones, particularly the younger generations.
- You can view information that interests you
- You can share as little or as much as you want on Facebook
If you are a Senior Citizen, and this makes you eager to try it out, read below to view some tips and tricks of the trade to get you started on Facebook.
In order to participate in Facebook:
- You must sign up. Facebook requires you to provide your real name, email or mobile number, password, birthday and gender. If you need help choosing a secure password, ask someone to help you or check online. This site can help: http://www.howtogeek.com/195430/how-to-create-a-strong-password-and-remember-it/
- Fill out your Facebook profile.
- Choose your security and settings. You can make your settings as public or as private as you desire. If you want to be more accessible on Facebook, you may want to include information about the city you live in, your current or former profession, and a clear profile picture of yourself. This will allow other people to more readily find you.
After you sign up for a personal Facebook account and fill out all the required information, you can then choose who you want to connect with, including other people, businesses, events and organizations that interest you. See below to get started in making connections on Facebook.
What is a Facebook “Friend”?
Older Adults are often confused with the Facebook terminology of a “Friend.” When you choose to “Friend” someone on Facebook, you do not actually have to be his or her friend in real life or even know the person. A “Friend” could mean a family member, a former colleague, a friend of a friend or anyone that you would like to keep in contact. One of the wonderful benefits of Facebook is that you can often find long, lost friends, if you choose.
Being “friends” on Facebook is a mutual agreement that means that the person can see what you put on Facebook, and you can see what they put on Facebook.
To “Friend” or Not to Friend?
When someone requests to be your friend, it is completely your choice whether or not you want to accept or decline his or her invitation. There are buttons on Facebook that you can click to confirm or decline the invitation. If you find someone on Facebook that you would like to follow, you can make a friend request by clicking “Add Friend.” That person must accept your friend request in order for you to follow him or her. Please not that you can have as many or as few friends as you would like on Facebook. There are no limitations.
What is a “Page” on Facebook?
A “Page” is something that interests you on Facebook. Think of a page like you would of a bulletin board. Following a page means that you can view pertinent information, find events, see announcements and generally keep up to date on the topic at hand. “Pages” can be of a particular event, organization, group, company or even public person (think artist or celebrity).
How do you follow a “Page”?
If a page is public that you want to follow, you can click “follow” or “like” on the top right hand corner of your Facebook account. This stores the page on your account so that you can view it regularly.
Sometimes a page is private meaning that you have to either request to view it, or you must receive an invitation to join. Generally, invited members can only view a private page or group.
How private is Facebook?
Facebook like any social networking site is not private. If you are a Senior that is concerned with privacy, a good rule of thumb is to be aware that nothing you put in writing or post on a social networking site (or the internet for that matter) is private. Even if a group or page you join is private, it can still be viewed by others in a variety of ways. If you keep this in mind, you will protect yourself from embarrassment and potential hassles.
If you want to write to someone privately, you should email or write a letter, especially if you are first getting started on Facebook.
So now that you know a few of the basics, why not try Facebook and sign up today! At Aston Gardens, we can help you learn computer skills, including Facebook. Come visit us today, and let us show you the multiple ways you can feel more connected to the world around you!
Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh is here to provide a range of senior living options for those ready to start the next chapter of their lives. Contact us today at 239.593.1923 to learn about our senior living programs, amenities, and floorplans.
