Connecting online can help seniors!

Source: http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Science%2Band%2BTech/Story/A1Story20121002-374903.html

   Social media is not just for young people.  Surprisingly, many seniors are going online these days, with six in ten using the Internet to connect with other people through online social networks. According to the article, online activity can help the elderly live more happily in two ways. First, online networking allows them to combat isolation and depression. Through using social media such as Facebook, seniors can find people who share common interests and stay connected. The survey in this article found that 97 percent of seniors said that keeping up with technology helps them to stay socially connected. Second, the Web encourages seniors to experience a variety of useful online activities including learning new information, arranging personal finance, and accessing entertainment. For example, the elderly are able to learn valuable skills and share them with other seniors online.

   I strongly believe that it is high time for companies that target senior customers to take advantage of these trends to attract and retain their customers for the long term. For example, companies can communicate with seniors by social media on a regular basis, listen to their opinions and educate them about their new products, a phenomenon that could not have been previously predicted.  Another good example is a portal site mentioned in this article designed to meet the needs and interests of seniors by offering relevant news, updates on product offerings and interesting events.  The site can even help seniors locate old friends through the use of a downloadable social plug-in. One of the best examples would be a campaign for seniors to learn how to use social media and the Web properly. It is true that the elderly are exposed to the Web’s pitfalls, such as Internet addiction, online gambling, and health risks as a result of the overuse of online services. By giving seniors various learning opportunities to prevent or minimize these risks, companies can hopefully relate more easily to them and count them as “friends.”