Boomers and Social Media is a research report from eMarketer.com that looks at facts from May, 2009. That evidence found that 47% of all baby boomers who make use of the Internet keep up a profile on at least one social networking internet site. That's an expansion of 15% from 2008. Facebook is the social media site used by most baby boomers and the WWII generation. (via New Report Shows Boomers, Seniors Like Social Media.)

I have passionately encouraged aging folks on computers and the World Wide Web as a means of preserving a high quality of life for my aging friend, specifically in the field of memory improvement. I, myself, hold a Facebook account and a variety of other social media accounts, too. I monitor my Facebook page almost every day because it helps me keep track of people I know all over the globe. In reality, I have never met some of them face-to-face, and others I have not seen for fifty years or more!

On Facebook you will come upon many activities for senior citizens, as well as special groups about anything you can conceive. It is possible that you will find alumni of your high school, people who grew up in your home town, or even your family! If not, you can start a senior community of your own, or any other kind of group you like! Seniors on Facebook have a number of groups, and I subscribe to a variety of of them myself.

If you are browsing this it is likely that you are a computer user. As such, you will already be familiar with the advantages to be gained by owning and utilizing a personal computer. However, you in all probability also know that many aging folks are unaware of the things they can do with a computer, or are manifestly put off by the idea of using computers. This is a predicament for both them and for us, because we yearn for the connections we might have with them. In fact, if you are the child or grandchild of a senior who doesn't use a computer or the Internet, you will almost definitely profit from providing that person a duplicate of this article!

Here are some of the features of Facebook that make it so excellent for seniors:

The Wall is made up of a area on every Facebook user's page that encourages friends to post messages for the user to see.

Photos, where Facebook users can copy albums and pictures. Privacy setups may be specified for particular albums, limiting the groups of users that can check out an album. For example, the privacy of an album can be set so that only the user's friends can see the album, while the privacy of another album can be set so that any Facebook users can see it. Another feature of the Photos application is the ability to "tag", or label users in a photo. For instance, if a photo contains a user's friend, then the user can tag the friend in the photo. This sends a notification to the friend that they have been tagged, and provides them a link to see the shot.

Status, which permits users to tell their friends of their whereabouts and what they are up to. Based on privacy settings, a person who can look at a user's profile can also view that user's Wall. Facebook also permits users to post attachments to the Wall.

News Feed, that shows up on every Facebook user's homepage and announces information including profile changes, upcoming events, and birthdays of the user's friends, if users decide to allow this.

Facebook Notes, a blogging feature that allows tags and embeddable images.

Gifts , which allows users to send virtual gifts and cards to their friends

Marketplace, which lets users post free classified ads.

Facebook is very effortless to sign up for, and the numerous categories of privacy offered will make nearly all seniors comfortable. If you want to check it out without committing, use your web browser to navigate to the Facebook internet page, Facebook.com. Once you have arrived at that page, click on the "Find Friends" link at the bottom of the page. On the ensuing page, enter my name, Robert Alan McCluskey, in the space labeled Search for People, and press the enter key or click the magnifying glass. Next you will observe a page that identifies me. Click on my name (Robert Alan McCluskey again) to substantiate that I am the valid person and you will see a concise excerpt of my Facebook profile. If you are interested in going ahead and trying a free membership, click on the Sign Up button to the right of my profile and follow the directions. You will effortlessly learn the many activities for seniors, as well as a great many of other splendid features! See you on Facebook!