Internet Culture for Seniors

It is a mistake to assume that all seniors are unfamiliar with the internet. In fact, many seniors have embraced the many resources offered by the internet. They use email to communicate, shop online, play games, use social media platforms to connect with friends and family members, and much more. However, not all seniors are comfortable with computers or internet savvy. And these individuals may find it difficult to relate to their children and especially their grandchildren, who were born into an internet-dominated world.

Internet 101: A Few Things to Know and a Few Places to Enjoy
When exploring the internet, stay on secure sites with addresses (or URLs) that start with “https” to avoid having your information stolen. It is also a good idea to avoid strange links that may pop up. Yet, with these things in mind, the internet can be a fun place to explore. And if you are familiar with a few of the more popular spots on the internet, it will give you more common ground to share with your children and grandchildren.

YouTube
Both kids and adults love YouTube videos, and this one site offers a wide variety of channels. On YouTube, you can find movies, television shows, music videos, funny animal videos, tutorial and informational videos, and much, much more. And many children go to YouTube to check out cartoons, videos showing other children testing toys, and learning videos. Popular channels for kids include Rainbow Learning and Kid City.

Retail Sites
​Although you must stay vigilant, shopping on the internet is a convenient way to find everyday items and hard-to-find things that may not be available at your local store – which makes this resource ideal when you are looking for a particular toy around the holidays are for birthdays. In addition, if you have items lying around that you no longer want, you can easily sell them on sites like eBay and Amazon Market Place. Or, if you are a crafter, you can sell you homemade wares on sites like Etsy.

Music
Find the music you love for free or small fees at sites like YouTube, Spotify, and Pandora. These services make it easy to have access to all types of music without having to fill up space in your home with CDs, tapes, or records.

Social Media
You may already be familiar with sites like Facebook, a platform that allows users to share photos, links from around the internet, memes (those pictures with funny phrases or sayings), stories, thoughts, and more. And Twitter is a faster moving platform that limits the characters you can use and is an ideal site for following you favorite celebrities. Instagram and Snapchat are image-heavy social media platforms favored by younger generations. And Pinterest is a great place to find and share home decorating tips, recipes, gardening ideas, and crafting inspiration.
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And, clearly, the internet is vast, so there is much more out there to explore. So, why not ask your grandchildren to show you their favorite places on the internet? This could be a fun way for you to learn from them, and they will likely be happy and proud to have an opportunity to teach YOU something for a change.