The use of social media among the elderly population has been proven to be beneficial. Next time you see your grandparents having a good-time on Facebook or Twitter, don't get mad at them. Instead be assured that social networking may be good for their health.
Hard to believe, but true. A recent study published in the Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking has revealed that social interactions on the internet may lower the risk of chronic disease among people especially that of high blood pressure and diabetes.
The scientists found that simple chat, sending an e-mail, tweet or skype may give rise to successful and healthy relationships among adults. The study also found that those adults who were active on social networking websites had fewer symptoms of depression and other chronic conditions.
This seems to be a significant research which goes on to demolish the idea that the senior citizens are unable to adjust with the changing technology and may even despise it.
A total of 591 adults with an average age of 68 years participated in the study.
About 95 per cent of the participants said that they are in fact very much satisfied with the current technology, while 72 per cent held that they were not averse to learning new technology skills.
The reason why our elderly population has turned receptive towards social media could be to reduce the loneliness usually associated with old age.
"Each of the links between social technology use and physical and psychological health was mediated by reduced loneliness," said William Chopik, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University.
