56 Comments

  1. Hey @silkcharm,

    What a big post you have?! Kudos for using some of the links Isent through. I’m still not convinced. Some of the data is old. Much of it is biased (using Facebook ad data to report on Facebook demographics?). Most of it is American and bits of it – if you read them – contradict what you say.

    I propose that there is some increase in Australian oldies logging on, possibly even more than the percentage of their overall growth within the aging population. Question is: so what? What do you think it means? Why is it important?

    Unconvinced.

    1. Facebook ads are live stats drawn from profiles of active users – you think I should trust a survey from Nielsen where they only survey their own database?
      The link you sent through today is the same one I referred to the journalist – weeks ago. Kudos on being able to Google based on my keywords e.g. 513% The Hitwise one from Alan I was aware of but it’s very general and not Facebook specific.
      I worked with what I had for an article that The Age and SMH ran. Not sure what you want to be convinced of, but feel free to do your own research. 🙂

  2. Hi Laurel, fascinating stuff & great post. My dad (early 70s) joined Facebook a year or so back but doesnt use it much … there’s only a few family members on & most of his peers aren’t using it .. but I would love to see a study that looked at why older people signed up – to keep in touch with kids? after school reunions?

    1. Hey Fran, most of the stuff I’ve seen – particularly academic papers – seem to say “friends and family at a distance” for older people and “real time connections e.g. where’s that party” for younger. My mum joined to connect with her book club. Livin’ it up on Facebook 🙂

  3. There’s something about the Internet that is so engaging, that sucks people into it in ways other technologies traditionally haven’t. I’ve seen my grandparents get excited by it, and I’ve seen my four year old niece go to Google type in “Dora” and go the Nick Junior website to play Flash games… My mother barely uses her computer for much more than playing Spider Solitaire and checking her email, but even she has got into the habit of listening to music videos via YouTube while she does those things. It’s got something for everybody. I don’t know if other services would offer the same statistical information you can get from Facebook, but I’d hazard to guess that senior citizens are probably embracing much of what the web has to offer.

  4. Hi there all my serior friends out there. I am a yong at heart and wish mybody would follow suit!

    I like to travel, but the last long hal nearly did me in, so sticking round Australis this year.

    Worked all my life as a nurse, now retired, but miss it.

    My grandaugter has carriied on the family tradition, as has my son and daughter in law

    My husband died 9 years ago, he was a very good man and I miss him a lot, but life ges on.

    1. I know how you feel Elizabeth . I love to travel ,my husband would rather stay home,so now i get my girlfriends together and go mostly cruising.We are mostly on a limited budject,and find cruising more to our liking than bus tours.I to am young at heart and put as much as i can into my life. My daughter got me onto facebook ,and i find its a lot of fun, just like to have more facebk. friends my own age would be great.

      1. I’ll be your friend. Just look me up on facebook and request to be a friend. I too am young at heart but can’t enjoy cruises as financial situations are limited. So enjoy as much as you can with your friends, we never know how long we’ll be here.

    2. Life has to go on my dear friend…Treasure the past and live for the present…

  5. Excellent article. Readers should also consider my website.
    http://lonedream.blogspot.com/

    It is a blog about sharing loneliness and deling with aging.
    Directory Includes:
    Top 10 Inspirational Older People
    Top 10 senior hobbyists sites
    Top 10 pet benefits for erlerly

    Thanks!
    APR

  6. I think it is a good idea for age people to spend our time on the internet especialy if connecting with people of the same age. To keep going with our brain, knowledge…..

  7. We have been developing a social media site specifically for intergenerations, one that is as cool to young people as it is easy for grandparents. Our research has shown that most platforms are too cluttered and have levels of security that concern seniors. We set about simplifying the web, whilst providing the highest level of security. The result is finerday.com
    We have been recognized in the UK as assisiting with narrowing the digital divide. Some 4 million people in the UK do not have access to a computer for one reason or another. The people also happen to be some of those in most need, with risk of losing touch with families and society.
    Our site is not meant to replace the facebooks etc especially for the younger and more technical generation, rather we are a place for families to communicate safely.
    You have Linkedin for work, facebook for friends, but where do you keep your family?
    Hopefully we have come up with the solution.

    1. How wonderful this is for seniors, much more sensible with a more mature outlook, love it!

  8. I just found this site while browsing, I have been searching for friends of Bygone days
    and so far have had no success, but may eventually have some luck here,
    at least the written English can be understood. Bob

  9. I just found this site while browsing, I have been searching for friends of Bygone days
    and so far have had no success, but may eventually have some luck here,
    at least the written English can be understood. Bob

    are there any Little Brothers still around out there??

    1. kathleen and other women (& maybe men)who would love to chat. I would love to hear from you. It would be so wonderful, to set up a network of friends on Seniors. To be able to have friends my own age, to chat to would be great.

      1. I just browse and found this page interesting. Hope to chat with any senior friend from any where. I am a 52 years old Malaysian chinese (widowed) would fine friend of any gender to chat. Hope to hear from somebody.

  10. i was just mucking around on the computer and came across this page its good to have something like this for the seniors i would like to hear from someone also

  11. I was in the U.S. Navy during WW2. We served in the South Pacific for 44 months. Our Captain figured the crew needed some R & R and made port in Brisbane for only a couple of days. Being under stress for so many years we didn’t spend our time in the libraries, senic tours and besides, I was 20 years old . We had a great time but regret the impression we must have left the people of Brisbane. So sorry… but it was a valuable time for us.
    When we sailed from Australia, soldiers landed in Leyte, in the Philippians. We passed through some small islands and were in the South China Sea ending up in Linguyan and started our patrol operation.. One day it was announced that the A bomb had been dropped and our war was over. Our ship was at Pearl Harbor, 4 chanpaigns, and credited with shooting down 5 enemy planes .

  12. I am disappointed that this sight, is not growing as it should be ,a wonderful way for us golden people to meet others, to chat & share ideas & thoughts. May be more promotion in the Seniors mag, Take 5, & Thats Life, with instructions on how to get yourself started.As i have found it so hard to get the idea on how this works i’m sure others have had the same trouble, & just give up.I am new to this & maybe you have done what you can to promote your site,& it hasn’t helped.

  13. Hi nice to see that us odler have some where to go and talk to some one my age not the kids I dont know if this the way one uses this but I dont give a S#$T the only thing is can I talk to some one please

    1. Hi Barry,
      I share your thoughts on having a site for seniors. I’m also interested in making contact with men who have had treatment for prostate cancer. Any takers.

  14. hi my name is maria this is my first time I just turn 60 so hollow to you all over 55 maria

  15. Hi…my name is shantha ..thanks to australia ..good start for global interaction and cross cultural sharing.

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  17. as you can see I am 70 going on 55 I hope my first trip by myself happens in september to italy the butterflies are starting in the tum already hope someone can reply that has tried a trip on their own at about this age

  18. The sad fact is people with accumulated years of wisdom expertise and the sheer tenacity to survive are being overlooked.Australia needs these qualities on a daily basis.Young entrepreneurs are betraying these people by going offshore(China,India) because thats their best idea..very sad.I would like to see creative forums of over 55″s contribute.Yes there are those that have retired who want to travel and be free,there are those who are tired,ill or just cant be bothered.But there exists many brilliant minds even over 80 that want to contribute but wonder how.Facebook offers one avenue of forum with the over 55’s that has great potentials…go for it!!!

  19. Hi Laurel, do you have any up to date stats on 50+ users of facebook and social media?

  20. Hi Laurel, do you have any up to date stats on 50+ users of facebook and social media?

  21. I am looking for a person who lives in Australia from South Africa her maiden name was Kerry Adams I hope you can help me

  22. You are so interesting! I don’t believe I have read something like
    that before. So great to find another person with some unique thoughts on this subject matter.
    Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is
    something that is needed on the web, someone with
    a little originality!

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