Social Media Apps for Seniors: 3 Apps to Keep You Connected with Family and Friends

As a person ages, it becomes more challenging to stay connected with family and friends. Some people move away from Beaverton, and it's easy to lose touch with friends that once made up your close circle of friends. Fortunately, as technology has exploded, new ways to connect with family and friends have become easily accessible, and it seems like new apps are popping up each day. Here's a look at three social media apps for seniors to stay in touch with family and friends:

3 Social Media Apps for Seniors

1. Facebook

Facebook provides seniors a chance to connect with friends and family across the globe. They can post photos, videos, and updates on their lives and see updates from their friends and family. There are also local groups for Portland where you can find out more about your local community. It's easy to establish an account and begin connecting with others.  However, there are many ads and other noise on this app. Seniors must be careful to only accept friend requests from people they know and never make a purchase from a seller in the Marketplace. Also, it's a good idea to routinely check that their account and posts are set to Private.

2. Messenger

Messenger requires a Facebook account, and it can be used while on Facebook or in a separate Messenger app that's available for both Apple and Android products. The app only allows you to send and receive messages, calls, and video calls from people on your Friends list on Facebook. You can make calls as well as video calls through the app, which works on the internet. This means you won't receive phone charges as you would on a landline for calling across the country or the world.

3. Skype

Skype is an app that allows seniors to connect with their family and friends through a video call. This can be done from their computer and laptops, and it can also be used through an app on their phones or tablets. These video calls needed to be prearranged but could reach anyone with internet access. 

Make Safety a Priority

When using social media, a senior needs to make safety a priority. This includes things such as only accepting friend requests from people you know. You should never accept messages from people you don't know. It's also beneficial to set up two-factor authentication. This authentication means the senior enters a password, and then the app sends a numerical code to your phone number or email that needs to be entered before you gain access to your account. This makes it more difficult for someone to hack your account. 

Select Senior Helpers Metro Portland North for a Helping Hand

Whether you or a senior loved one needs help navigating daily activities in Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Troutdale, and Multnomah County, you need to find a partner you can trust. Senior Helpers Metro Portland North is that partner. Contact us today!