By nature, humans are incredibly social beings, requiring strong relationships in order to live happy and fulfilling lives. However, as our social circles tend to get smaller as we age, mature adults might find it difficult to make new connections that will enrich their lives. By allowing us to meet new people, organize community events, and connect in more unique ways, social media networks can be a wonderful way of building relationships later in life, and here are just some of the benefits these networks present for ageing adults:
Staying in touch with family
As we grow older, our lives tend to change significantly, and not always for the better. Our children might be growing up and leaving the nest, our grandchildren could be going to university, and our distant family members might even live in different countries, all of which can affect our sense of value and belonging.
Fortunately, social media allows us to stay in touch with our family members no matter where they are. Whether that means sharing images and life milestones on Facebook or connecting through video chat platforms like FaceTime, social media presents a simple way of keeping in touch with our family members, helping to battle any feelings of loneliness and isolation we might experience at this time.
Connecting with old and new friends
In the same vein, social media networks can also allow us to connect with the people we used to socialize with throughout the years. Life can separate us, force us to drift apart, and lead us on separate paths, but the advancement of technology can effortlessly bring us back together.
Similarly, social media could allow us to make new, more meaningful connections as well. Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn have certain features for suggesting new contacts, giving us the opportunity to find new friends with similar interests, identify interesting local groups where we can effortlessly connect with new people, or even make networking and building professional relationships incomparably easier once we mature.
Seeking romantic relationships
The connections we make throughout our lives shouldn’t only be of social or familiar nature. We deserve love, affection, support, and understanding at all stages of our lives, but finding romantic partners as mature adults can be quite a difficult and challenging endeavour if we’re not particularly social in the traditional sense.
In those cases, adults can benefit from online social community for mature adults that is specifically designed for anyone over 50. Using one of these social networks, mature adults are able to successfully connect with a community of like-minded individuals, enjoy different events and activities together, find suitable companionship, and focus on romantic relationships, even in later stages of their lives.
Being updated on current affairs
Feeling sidelined and out of touch is quite a common occurrence among ageing adults, but it can also lead to social isolation, anxiety, and depression. Individuals who are quite active on social media can combat these common issues simply by having access to numerous news resources and information that directly impacts their lives.
News and happenings in our local neighbourhoods can be particularly beneficial, as they allow us to stay up to date on local events, while helping us feel more engaged and connected with our communities. Even social media features such as the “Popular in your network” bulletin on Twitter can provide further opportunities for gathering information and contributing to relevant community topics.
Enhancing interests and hobbies
Losing access to any hobbies, interests, and other passions they once loved and enjoyed can be quite challenging for many mature adults to suddenly adjust to. Especially when we are forced to isolate or distance ourselves from our communities, not being able to take part in those activities that were once an essential part of our lives can take a significant toll on our physical and mental health.
Fortunately, social media platforms can be quite advantageous in this aspect as well. For example, different Facebook groups can give us the opportunity to reconnect with our hobbies, while the “Discover” feature on Twitter might allow us to seek out new interests that will reignite our passions.
Social media networks are an integral aspect of modern lifestyles, and for a great reason. By allowing us to reconnect with old acquaintances, build new relationships, and identify new passions, social media can help us to enhance and enrich our lives, even in a more mature age.
