The latest statistics show that the contours of social media use are changing among older adults, showing growing acceptance and comfort. In this article, I will examine social media use among older adults and find out what social media do older adults use.
We will explore seniors’ favorite social media platforms and discuss the social media trends among the elderly.
What Social Media Platforms do Over 50s Use?
AARP studied the latest tech trends among older adults including what social media do over 50s use. To stay connected with family and friends, 50+ consumers use multiple forms of communication on daily basis.
The top methods of choice include Text, Email, Social Media platforms, and Video calls.
The increasing social media usage shows growing comfort for older adults. Most of the 50-plus adults use one or more social media platforms.
Facebook and YouTube remain the clear favorites among older adults.
The interesting findings show that Instagram and TikTok, most commonly associated with youth, are becoming popular among seniors.
Instagram usage increased from 24% to 28% while TikTok usage increased from 10% to 15% in one year, among 50+ folks.
Pinterest usage declined from 25% in 2021 to 20% in 2022.
Here are some other interesting stats from the AARP survey.
- Most of 50 plus (88%) use one or more social media platforms
- 43% of adults 50 years and older use social media daily
- Facebook (71%) and YouTube (51%) remain the clear winners among older adults
- While Instagram and TikTok usage has increased significantly in 2022, older adults’ interest in Pinterest has dropped 5%
Overall, the share of 50+ social media users has grown. Only 12% of older adults did not use social media in 2022, down from 15% in 2021.
What Social Media Platforms are Seniors’ Favorites
When we examine what social media do older adults, Facebook and YouTube stand out. Here are some of the Facebook stats.
- 55 years and older adults are 22.2% of total U.S. Facebook users
- In total, 282 million Facebook users are 55 years or older, making them 12.7% of total Facebook users
- According to research by Creating Results, of 55+ social media users, 60% use Facebook at least once a day.
Statistics show that 65 years and older are Facebook’s fastest-growing demographic. Also, check out why seniors do not use other social media platforms.
5 Reasons Facebook is Popular Among Older Adults
The main reasons older adults use Facebook include.
1: Social Interaction
One of the main reasons older adults use social media is to stay connected with family and friends. Facebook makes it easy for seniors to catch up with their loved ones and share their lives with people they do not see daily.
Whether it’s sharing photos or simple status updates, millions of older adults go to Facebook to find out what’s going on in their network of family and friends.
2: Facebook’s Massive Community
For older adults, Facebook is a great way to find and connect with people they may have lost touch with over the years. With Facebook’s massive user base, you can find your school and college friends and keep updated on their lives and interests.
From your grandchildren to your friend living aboard, most people are using Facebook.
3: Stay Up to Date
Facebook is a good place to stay in touch with current events and global news. For most people around the world, regardless of age, social media is the number one source to get the latest and breaking news.
4: Entertainment Opportunities
Whether you want to follow your favorite sports team, or comedian or like cat videos and tv show clips, there are unlimited entertainment opportunities on Facebook.
5: Explore Hobbies and Support a Cause
Another reason for older adults to use Facebook is to participate in Facebook groups of their interests and hobbies. Facebook is a great place to discuss and share your new favorite books, movies, shows, and more.
Seniors also like to support their favorite causes and charities on Facebook.
Facebook’s simple and intuitive user interface and ability to connect with family and friends make it the most popular social media platform for older adults.
YouTube – Seniors 2nd Favorite Platform
When examining social media use among older adults, YouTube is the second most popular platform. Here are some of the statistics about YouTube and older adults.
- According to AARP, 51% of 50+ older adults are YouTube users
- YouTube is used by 88% of 55+ users, according to Creating Results
- 59% of those over 55 visit YouTube several times a week while 73% use YouTube at least once a week
- YouTube has 450 million users aged 55 and above, making them 17.8% of the total user base
Facebook and YouTube are also the most popular social media networks among younger generations. According to the latest stats, Facebook is the most-used social network with 2.9 Billion users worldwide while YouTube is the second most-used social media network with 2.2 Billion monthly active users.
The popularity of Facebook and YouTube and the increasing use of Instagram and TikTok makes it clear that older adults love photos and video content.
5 Takeaways about Social Media Use among Older Adults
When examining what social media do older adults use, here are 5 important points.
- Most older adults use social media (88% according to the latest AARP Survey)
- Overall social media use is increasing among seniors. Only 12% of 50 years and older did not use social media in 2022, down from 15% in 2021
- Older adults are most active on Facebook (71%) and YouTube (51%)
- Instagram and TikTok are becoming popular among the elderly. Instagram use increased from 24% in 2021 to 28% in 2022. 15% of older adults used TikTok in 2022, up from 10% in 2021.
- 65 years and older are Facebook’s fastest-growing demographics, according to Social Shepherd
FAQs
Do the elderly use social media?
Social media usage is increasing among seniors. According to the latest statistics by AARP, most of the 50 years and older (88%) used at least one social media platform in 20222, up from 85% in 2021.
What social media is most used by the elderly?
Facebook is the favorite social media platform of the elderly. Latest statistics show 71% of seniors use Facebook and 65 years and older are Facebook’s fastest-growing demographics.
Why seniors should use social media?
Social media is the best way to interact with family members and loved ones that you do not see every day. Seniors can use social media to catch up and keep update about their school and college friends.
You can follow your favorite celebrities, interests, and hobbies. Social media keeps older adults connected, entertained, and up to date.
Do seniors use Facebook?
Facebook is the most used social media platform among seniors. Around 71% of 50 years and older adults used Facebook in 2022 and 65 years and older remain the fastest growing demographics on Facebook.
Do older people use YouTube?
YouTube is the second most favorite social media platform for older adults. According to Data Reportal, 450 million YouTube users are 55 years and older making them 17.8% of the total user base.
Do older people use Instagram?
Instagram is the 3rd most favorite social media platform of older adults after Facebook and YouTube. According to AARP, 28% of 50 years and older adults used Instagram in 2022, up from 24% in 2021.
Is TikTok good for older adults?
TikTok is becoming popular among older adults. Latest statistics show 15% of 50 years and older used TikTok in 2022, up from 10% in 2021.
Seniors’ social media use behavior shows that they love the photo and video content and TikTok is increasing in popularity among the elderly.
What do adults use social media for?
Older adults use social media for social interaction with family and friends, entertainment, and remaining up to date about current events and global news.
They also like to explore their interests and hobbies and follow their favorite celebrities and the latest trends on social media.