Social Media by

Do Seniors use Social Media?

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 21:21:00 UTC

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 21:36:01 UTC

According to the Pew Research Center, Social media users that are 65 years and older has increased in the past decade. Comparing to 2010 to 2021, the graph shows a jump of a 35% increase.

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 21:39:07 UTC

Is Social media beneficial?

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 21:40:26 UTC

This video explores the challenges of social isolation and loneliness among seniors who struggle to adapt to new technology. Seniors may feel disconnected because they can't properly communicate with loved ones or see them.

During this age, struggles such as physical and cognitive impairment can enhance feelings of isolation and loneliness. With the use of social media, older people can see photos their families post and communicate with them all in one space.

Risks involving Social Media with seniors

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 22:09:46 UTC

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 22:17:05 UTC

There are, however, some risks associated with being on social media, according to an article on Plattduetsche Home Society, a Senior housing community.

This article explains how misinformation can be easily spread, such as through scams and false claims. There are many ads on Facebook, with a significant number being fake, along with fake accounts that can lure people who aren't as technologically advanced.

Popular Social media platforms

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 22:27:53 UTC

The most popular platform used by adults 65 years and up is Youtube and Facebook.

According to this article, 65% of this age group use youtube and 59% use facebook with a survey conducted in June of 2024

References

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 22:34:00 UTC

Blazina, C. (2025, April 24). Share of those 65 and older who are tech users has grown in the past decade. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/13/share-of-those-65-and-older-who-are-tech-users-has-grown-in-the-past-decade/

Briedel. (2024, October 10). Social media for Seniors: the Pros and Cons. Plattduetsche Home Society. https://www.plattseniorliving.com/social-media-for-seniors-the-pros-and-the-cons/

Creating Results, Inc. (2025, May 20). What social media do seniors use most? | Creating results. Creating Results. https://creatingresults.com/blog/2025/03/26/what-social-media-do-seniors-use-most-2025/

Graying With Grace. (2023, January 12). Challenges facing the elderly [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kydQwgCD2qo

aliyahalas7 — 2025-09-01 22:44:28 UTC

Social media in Late adulthood is complex but offers many benefits, such as fostering feelings of social connection and reducing feelings of isolation. In return, there are risks of scams and misinformation being spread. Overall, when used correctly, it can promote meaningful connections.

Social Media's Impact on Young Adulthood (18-40)

2025-09-01 22:57:14 UTC

Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook

2025-09-01 23:23:27 UTC

Stats:

used for connection, career, entertainment, activism, identity expression
instagram and tiktok dominate among 18-24
84% of adults 18-29 use social media daily (Anderson et al., 2023)
facebook more common in 30-40 range

2025-09-01 23:24:28 UTC

this video goes into detail regarding teens impact of social media in their life which features raw conversations with teenagers reflecting how social media can affect their mental health, relationships and identity.

How social media can negatively affect middle childhood ages 6-12.

2025-09-02 01:50:50 UTC

Too Young for Most Platforms. Major apps (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook) require users to be 13+, but many children younger than that still join. Early use exposes them to content they may not be emotionally ready for. Kids under 11 are more likely to create “online-only” friendships, which can increase exposure to unsafe or inappropriate interactions. They may not recognize grooming, scams, or predatory behavior. Children this age may engage in or be victims of mean messages, exclusion, or harassment.

Social Media addiction.

2025-09-02 02:02:30 UTC

Dr. Christian Heim explains that social media is designed to be addictive, releasing dopamine that keeps people hooked. Overuse can actually shrink parts of the brain linked to empathy, making it harder to connect with others. This creates a cycle of isolation and poor mental health, as people turn back to social media for comfort.

2025-09-02 02:03:51 UTC

Socia Media is ruining our kids!

2025-09-02 02:15:09 UTC

Social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat etc, might seem harmless, but they’re having a serious impact on our kids. Children are constantly exposed to harmful content that promotes self-doubt, comparison, and emotional stress. These messages can shape how they see themselves and affect their mental health.

As parents, it’s important to wake up to reality. We need to monitor and limit exposure to digital content, guide children toward safe online habits, and encourage real-world connections. Protecting our kids from this digital toxicity isn’t optional it’s necessary for their well-being.

2025-09-02 02:24:10 UTC

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development (Industry vs. Inferiority)

2025-09-02 02:43:32 UTC

Research by Dauphin (2017) delves into Erikson’s fourth stage of psychosocial development—Industry vs. Inferiority highlighting its significance during ages 6 to 12. The study emphasizes that children in this stage strive to develop competence and mastery through achievements in areas such as school, sports, and social interactions. Success in this stage leads to a sense of industry and self-worth, while failure or lack of support can foster feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.

2025-09-02 02:50:34 UTC

psingh200625 — 2025-09-02 03:11:39 UTC

Social media typically makes young people seem good, which might make people in their 40s and 50s feel that they don't matter and aren't linked to others. When you are constantly exposed to fast-paced, youth-centered information, your brain becomes tired, your sense of self is confused, and your motivation goes down. Social media can make you feel stuck and socially isolated instead of helping you grow. For example, being locked in a group chat where no one remembers your birthday.

psingh200625 — 2025-09-02 03:14:52 UTC

Social media could offer connection, but for a lot of older folks (and by extension, middle-aged users), it can cause confusion, comparison, and mental clutter. It's like giving someone a megaphone in a room full of people and expecting them to hear you. The continual flow of updates, carefully curated content, and algorithm-driven noise can make people feel emotionally depleted and cognitively cloudy. Instead of real interaction, individuals typically just skim through highlight reels that make them feel more alone and unsure of themselves. And let's be honest: when your phone sends you a "memory" from 2009, it's not a trip down memory lane; it's a reminder that your knees don't bend like they used to.

psingh200625 — 2025-09-02 03:21:57 UTC

A study conducted by the COVID States Project at Harvard reveals a concerning link between social media usage and heightened levels of depression among individuals. A study followed over 5,000 individuals, with an average age of 56, who showed no signs of sadness at the beginning of the research. As time passed, individuals who engaged with platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat reported higher levels of depression. The research indicates that social media may negatively impact mental well-being by presenting users with skewed news, idealized images, and reducing face-to-face interactions. Facebook showed a link to depression in individuals under 35, while TikTok and Snapchat appeared to have more significant impacts on those over 35. Psychiatrist Roy Perlis likens the experience to "drinking from a firehose" of harmful information, highlighting the crucial need to comprehend and mitigate the impact of social media on the well-being of adults.

psingh200625 — 2025-09-02 03:23:58 UTC

psingh200625 — 2025-09-02 03:25:27 UTC

Limit screen time for children under 2 years and focus on interactive activities.

anfoanne — 2025-09-02 06:31:34 UTC

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 18 months avoid screen time, except for video chatting. Excessive screen exposure can interfere with crucial developmental activities such as play, exploration, and face-to-face interaction, which are essential for language acquisition and social skills.

anfoanne — 2025-09-02 06:46:37 UTC

Caregivers' engagement with social media can affect the quality of interaction with their children. Studies suggest that distracted parenting, where caregivers are preoccupied with their devices, can lead to reduced verbal and non-verbal communication with infants, potentially impacting attachment and emotional development.

anfoanne — 2025-09-02 06:49:50 UTC

Children learn by observing their caregivers. If parents frequently use social media, children may perceive this behavior as normative, potentially influencing their future media consumption habits.
Examples and References:

A study published in "Pediatrics" highlights the importance of minimizing screen exposure for infants and toddlers to promote healthy development.

anfoanne — 2025-09-02 06:52:08 UTC

Engage in activities that promote bonding and development, such as reading, playing, and talking with children.

2025-09-02 07:14:19 UTC

Modern lifestyle has made us surround our lives with social media especially in adolescence. Different social platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and the rest exist to keep adolescents occupied with either the right information or the wrong information. According to Erikson, this stage deals with identity crisis because their body goes through physical changes due to puberty and most teenagers might get the wrong impression of their appearance on social media that they do not look good enough. This can have negative effects on their mental health.

2025-09-02 07:15:11 UTC

2025-09-02 07:37:11 UTC

Social media also has its positive side as it can help improve communication and also help with fostering young social groups where adolescents can positively connect with their age group that understands them. Social media can help develop the intellect of the adolescents mind to think outside the box as they have the opportunity to interact with people of like mind across the world to solve problems.

2025-09-02 07:43:59 UTC

According to Erikson this stage deals with identity crisis and adolescents try to fit in with their peers. If social media is used correctly, it can help adolescents meet with good peer groups that can support and help them thrive in their search for their identity.

2025-09-02 08:15:07 UTC

Adolescents can have temperaments that can affect their lives. In a case where they are addicted to the use of social media and they face some form of restrictions on its use by their parents or guardian who are trying to control their useage of the internet, this does not usually go well as there are outbursts of anger and resentment because they are already addicted to the use of their phones.

2025-09-02 08:23:50 UTC

For some families in America, adolesencents are introduced to social media from childbirth by their parents. In such families one can say that their culture is early exposure to the world through the use of internet. Babies already have social media platform accounts created for them by their parents especially if they, the parents, are content creators or are also addicted to the use of social media.

References

2025-09-02 09:30:52 UTC

Campbell. M et al ( 2021, March 8) Social Media Impacts on Adolescent. Pressbooks.

https://pressbooks.pub/communicationcomplications/chapter/chapter-5/

Aydın, D., Göncü, H., B. (2025, March 19) From Childhood Experiences to Social Media Addiction: Unraveling the Impact on Adolescents. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/385

WashingtonPost (2018 May 31). Forty-five Percent of Are Omline 'almost constantly' And They Dont Know If It's Good For Them'. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/05/31/forty-five-percent-of-teens-are-online-almost-constantly-and-they-dont-know-if-its-good-for-them/

The OAS Center (2025, March 9). Social Media Anxiety and Depression in Teens

https://theoascenter.com/social-media-anxiety-and-depression-in-teens/

Cherry, K. (2023 December 4) Identity vs. Role Confusion in Perfect Development. Verywell mind https://www.verywellmind.com/identity-versus-confusion-2795735

Synapse Mind Care (2024, June 10) Angry, Writable, Restless https://beacons.ai/synapsemindcare?fbclid=PAdGRjcAMjmCpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp54UjBYKIl3CbwCl2CYfnfarjw67ZJ9HRmI4yTyW5rNfGPQ8ZfC78jFl3eOG_aem_5VQUk6a4F03ZqsKVzevOjA

anfoanne — 2025-09-02 14:12:27 UTC

While direct social media use is not applicable to children aged 0 to 2 years, the indirect effects through caregiver behavior and screen exposure are significant. It is crucial for parents to be mindful of their social media habits and prioritize direct interaction with their children to support optimal development. Future research should continue to explore this area to provide more comprehensive guidelines for caregivers.

The balance of screen time!

2025-09-02 21:45:39 UTC

This video explains perfectly on how screen time for kids should be balanced. It discusses the importance of showing that balance between the screen and the child doing other activities such as; playing outside, sports (indoor or outdoor), arts and crafts, reading.

Screen time throughout the ages:

2025-09-02 21:49:36 UTC

This Doctor perfectly describes how much screen time each age group should be exposed to and why.

2025-09-02 21:52:06 UTC

The parents part:

2025-09-02 21:59:40 UTC

5 things parents should be doing before the child is 5: 5 healthy, long term results.

Connection
Talking
Playing
A healthy home
Community

2025-09-02 22:03:23 UTC

Intimacy vs Isolation

2025-09-04 17:03:04 UTC

Baylor University adds a compelling view onto intimacy vs isolation regarding social media use.

First of all, social media can foster intimacy when used with intention. This can mean long-distance relationships, video calls, posts for those who do not obtain easy access to one another (Craine, 2025). Emotional expression could also be essential through the internet as it allows people to write messages, curate playlists and share memes. Lastly, the internet can build community which happens in niche groups, forums or collaborated platforms (Craine, 2025).

On the other hand, social media can also promote feelings of isolation. For example, performative connections that are often disguised as likes and comments replace real, authentic connections (Yanez, 2025). Comparing yourself to others on the internet, especially models and influencers can caught deep self hatred or low self confidence making people feel inadequate or disconnected and down (Yanez, 2025). Lastly, mindless "scroll rot" which is deemed when people scroll through others lifes with intent to lack interaction which causes anxiety and promotes feelings of self doubt, loneliness, or low self-esteem (Perina, 2021).

References

2025-09-04 17:11:27 UTC

Anderson, M., Faverio, M., & Gottfried, J. (2023, December 11). Teens, social media and technology 2023. Pew Research Center. https://pewresearch.org/internet/2023/12/11/teens-social-media-and-technology-2023

Cherry, K. (2024, October 25). Intimacy vs. isolation: Psychosocial stage 6. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/intimacy-versus-isolation-2795739

Silard, A. (2021, June 14). How social media exploits our loneliness. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-living-free/202106/how-social-media-exploits-our-loneliness

Yáñez, E. (2023, February 18). The impact of social media on modern-day intimacy. Insightful Matters. https://www.insightfulmatters.com/blog/the-impact-of-social-media-on-modern-day-intimacy

Social media’s double-edged sword: Study links both active and passive use to rising loneliness. (2025). Baylor University News. https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2025/social-medias-double-edged-sword-study-links-both-active-and-passive-use-rising