Seniors ‘have a go’ at social media

Perth’s over 45s community gathered at Burswood Park yesterday for Have a Go Day, a free annual event encouraging seniors to get out of their comfort zone and try something new.

Organised by the Seniors Recreation Council, the event played host to over 200 exhibitors running various activities, from ballroom dancing to X-Box gaming, in a state-wide celebration of seniors in the community.

Deviating from the usual sports and recreation theme, first-time exhibitor Southern Cross Care (WA) (SCC) set up free social media workshops at their marquee.

The aged care provider had free Wi-Fi, access to tablets and laptops, as well as a number of technology tutors on hand to show visitors how easy it is to remain in touch with loved ones through Facebook, email and Skype.

Additional sessions in the morning and afternoon explained the ins and outs of staying safe online, how to keep a clean machine and posting with caution.

SCC head of marketing Tracey King said recent research from Nielsen spurred the organisation’s focus on social media.

“Eighty per cent of over 55s access the Internet and 50 per cent of over 65s access the Internet,” Ms King said.

“Interestingly when they visit websites, they visit for longer sessions than Generation Y,” she said.

The 2012 Nielsen Online Landscape Review shows consumers over 50 accounting for 32 per cent of Australia’s online audience, the largest slice of the market compared with other age cohorts.

Ms King said that once registered, seniors are just like anybody else on social media, using it to connect with their own social circles, as well as distant family members.

“A lot of older people have special interest groups and social media can be a useful tool to engage that membership base,” Ms King said.

However, barriers to entry still remain prevalent.

According to Ms King, seniors may lack the initial confidence to approach a form of communication that exists solely within a digital platform. Unlike proceeding generations, they did not grow up with social media.

“There’s a whole online language used today and that is probably one of the factors that turns them away,” Ms King said.

Once acronymic terms ‘lol’ and ‘omg’ are understood, the mystification around social media falls off, Ms King explained.

“It’s more of a cultural issue of understanding,” she said.

With more than 13 thousand people turning out for Have a Go Day yesterday, SCC were able to engage a high proportion of their target audience on an issue they feel strongly about.

“Social media is such an important channel for connection between friends and families.”

Image: Social media basics with one of SSC's technology tutors. CONTRIBUTED.