The rise of the ‘silver surfer’: Online social networking and social inclusion for older adults

The present study examined the relation between cognitive performance and social networking in older adults from Canada and Greece. The two groups were matched on age, gender, education level, and MMSE scores. Participants reported the amount of both off-line and online networking, as well as the social support received in these contexts. Immediate and delayed recall, speed of processing, and executive functioning were also assessed. Online networking was associated with executive functioning. Interestingly, country context didn’t moderate the relationship, despite differences observed between Greeks and Canadians in executive functioning and online networking. Our findings suggest that online social participation could serve both as a source of social support and as cognitive training, benefiting older adults’ cognitive vitality. The findings are discussed in relation to the characteristics of the specific countries, stressing the need to explore the effects of online social networking and participation on cognitive function in the aging population.

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Loneliness and Social Engagement in Older Adults Based in Lombardy during the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Long-Term Effects of a Course on Social Networking Sites Use

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17217912 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 7912

Author(s):

Elena Rolandi ◽

Roberta Vaccaro ◽

Simona Abbondanza ◽

Georgia Casanova ◽

Laura Pettinato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Networking ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Social Contacts ◽

Telephone Surveys ◽

The Impact

Older adults are less familiar with communication technology, which became essential to maintain social contacts during the COVID-19 lockdown. The present study aimed at exploring how older adults, previously trained for Social Networking Sites (SNSs) use, experienced the lockdown period. In the first two weeks of May 2020, telephone surveys were conducted with individuals aged 81–85 years and resident in Abbiategrasso (Milan), who previously participated in a study aimed at evaluating the impact of SNSs use on loneliness in old age (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04242628). We collected information on SNSs use, self-perceived loneliness, and social engagement with family and friends. Interviewed participants were stratified as trained (N = 60) and untrained (N = 70) for SNSs use, based on their attendance to group courses held the previous year as part of the main experimental study. The groups were comparable for sociodemographics and clinical features. Participants trained for SNSs use reported significantly higher usage of SNSs and reduced feeling of being left out. Compared to pre-lockdown levels, individuals trained for SNSs use showed a lighter reduction in social contacts. These findings support the utility of training older adults for SNSs use in order to improve their social inclusion, even in extreme conditions of self-isolation and perceived vulnerability.

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Online Social Networking and Mental Health among Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement ◽

10.1017/s0714980821000040 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Erica Chen ◽

Devin Wood ◽

Renate Ysseldyk

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Social Networking ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Well Being ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Online Social Networking

Abstract As the number of older adults is expected to increase exponentially within the next few decades, loneliness, social isolation, and depression among seniors are growing public health concerns. Although formal treatment options, such as therapy and medication, can be helpful for depression, they can also be expensive and sometimes ineffective. It is therefore important to consider other potential treatment options and social interventions. Alternative methods for addressing mental health issues are especially important for older adults, as they may encounter barriers associated with aging such as limited mobility and decreased social networks. In these circumstances, online social networking may offer a potential “social cure” to alleviate loneliness, social isolation, and depression. The purpose of this scoping review was to gather and summarize the current literature on associations between online social networking and mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, life satisfaction, loneliness) among older adults. An initial search of 3,699 articles resulted in 52 articles that met criteria for inclusion. Five common themes were identified: (1) enhanced communication with family and friends, (2) greater independence and self-efficacy, (3) creation of online communities, (4) positive associations with well-being and life satisfaction, and (5) decreased depressive symptoms. Implications for older adults’ mental health, social connectedness, programs and policies are discussed.

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