AR1: When Old and Young collide

How does the increase in use of social networking, especially among older adults, impact their daily interpersonal interactions and how might this have both positive and negative outcomes?

Though the article that we read was mostly filled with statistical information there were still some aspects that should be thought about. As shown in one of the charts the amount of older adults who have started using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, have increased from years previous. In an article I read the older generation feels like if they can use Facebook, twitter, or even LinkedIn with efficiency then that is like a gold star. (http://www.cnbc.com/id/100537483) It shows that they are keeping up with the times and are not getting stuck in the past as the world moves on without them. By using the internet more now that before the older generation is becoming more connected to the younger generation, those who used to be the primary users of social media. Another study says that not only are older folk becoming more active on social media sites but that women, Hispanics, and seniors are the main groups who have started to frequently use these sites. In one study it was found that older women were more likely to use Facebook, men were more likely to use Twitter along with those making more than $75,000. (http://daily-download.com/older-generation-flocks-social-media/) I found that to be very interesting. 
We talked about the different social media outlets that are being used by the older generation in class. We talked about the pros and cons of having older adults on sites mostly populated by mid teen to late twenty year old. One of the pros would be that it is easier to keep in contact with family and friends if you are all using the same social media. The con of that could be that adults our age (college students) may not want their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles seeing all that they get up to. Many fights break out simply because the older generation has learned how to use different social media.  Another con of having older adults using social media is that they don't understand how people talk. In an outside article that I read this point was brought up. It is not helpful to them to join into the world of social media if they don't know enough of the lingo to have a conversation without committing a social hiccup. (Such as thinking that LOL means lots of love and not laugh out loud). (http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/elderly-people-social-media-article-1.1418755). 

References

Brenner, J. & Smith, A. 72%  of Online Adults are Social Networking Site Users. Pew Internet & American Life Project, Aug 5, 2013, http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/social-networking-sites.aspx, accessed Aug 18, 2013

Murphy, L. (2013, August 6). Pew Research Center Shows Social Media Use on Rise with Seniors, Hispanics. Daily Download. Retrieved August 28, 2013, from http://daily-download.com/older-generation-flocks-social-media 

Thompson, C. (2013, March 10). Old School, Meet New School: Seniors Tackle Social Networks. Stock Market News, Business News, Financial, Earnings, World Markets - CNBC. Retrieved August 28, 2013, from http://www.cnbc.com/id/100537483

More elderly people using social media, but many don't know what they're doing - NY Daily 

News. (2013, August 6). Daily News America - Breaking national news, video, and photos - Homepage - NY Daily News. Retrieved August 28, 2013, from http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/elderly-people-social-media-article-1.1418755