Older people are increasingly present on social networks. In 2017, people aged 60 to 69 are twice as likely to frequent them as ten years ago, according to the Digital Barometer published by the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (Arcep) .
More than one in ten seniors aged 70 and over also connects to social networks, the best known of which is Facebook. What is the use of this social network for seniors? Can we unsubscribe easily
The first usefulness of Facebook for seniors is the possibility of staying in contact with their family (children and grandchildren in particular) and maintaining their friendly relations. This social network appears to be a means of communication that is increasingly popular with older people. Facebook makes it possible to have regular news from family members who are geographically distant or very busy with their professional activities, by sending and receiving messages, instantaneous or not, photos or videos. Facebook allows, in the other direction, relatives to have news of their parents or grandparents and to know that they are well.
We know that the older we get, the more likely we are to suffer from isolation and depression. Facebook may prove to be a cure for this loneliness. The social network not only constitutes a link with the outside world, but it makes it possible to interact with other Internet users and thus link contacts. It's a great way to keep and nurture relationships, and even create new ones.
Elderly people who have left professional life more often than the rest of the population engage in voluntary activities to fill their free time. They participate in charities, clubs or associations where they discuss their artistic or cultural passions, etc. Facebook is also a way to communicate with groups and communities with the same interests, to exchange ideas, to share experiences. Thanks to this social network, it is possible to post comments, give your opinion, share your experiences with other Internet users about certain services, consumer products, etc.
Facebook regularly offers its members the opportunity to participate in contests or free games with rewards. It turns out that seniors are very fond of this activity. It is also a way for them to stay in touch with the outside world and to continue to maintain a social bond.
Social networks play a major role in disseminating information, whether in the field of news, leisure or daily activities. By subscribing to the page of such and such a site or group, it is possible to obtain daily advice and tips for cooking, DIY, etc., or to find answers to your questions.
Despite all the benefits that Facebook can bring to seniors who want to stay active and in touch with the outside world, many people are reluctant to frequent this social network for fear of not being able to close their account later. What is it really?
Two solutions are available to you if you no longer wish to remain on Facebook. You can either deactivate your account or delete it. The social network clearly explains on its help support what concrete steps to take by guiding you step by step.
Deactivation, easily accessible in the Facebook interface, allows you to reactivate your account later if you change your mind. Your journal is no longer visible and Internet users who search for you on the social network can no longer find you. On the other hand, all the information that you have exchanged beforehand remains visible and you remain in your "friends" groups.
Deleting your account will not allow you to reactivate it later if you change your mind. This is a procedure that is not directly accessible but requires going to Facebook's "help pages". Good to know:it takes several days for Facebook to delete your account. If you log in within days of your deletion request, your deletion request will be cancelled! it may take up to 90 days, or three months, to delete all your data.
And be careful, deleting your Facebook account does not mean that the social network erases all your data. All your posts and comments will remain on the network on your friends' pages. On the other hand, Messenger, the instant chat application linked to Facebook, remains active and requires a separate action to be deleted.
Finally, be aware that before deactivating or deleting your Facebook account, you have the option of saving all the information in your account, from your photos to your videos for example.
