Top 10 Best Senior Social Networking Sites and Online Tools

According to Pew’s Internet and American Life Project, 350 million people worldwide belong to Facebook, one of the most popular social networking sties today. According to Facebook, these members are increasingly diverse, and the number of adult internet users on social networks has more than quadrupled, from 8% in 2005 to more than 35% by December 2008.

Seniors and Baby Boomers Hit the Net

Seniors and Baby Boomers account for great of this Internet traffic, particularly on social networking sites, like Facebook, where baby boomers and the over-50 dwelling make original friends, share information and photographs, and connect. Some analysts suggest that “Silver Surfers” comprise about 7% of all internet users. As a sizeable population and demographic, these numbers are sure to grow, especially as the Internet and World Wide Web becomes integrated into everyday life.

Seniors Get Connected on Social Networking Sites

High tech gurus have joined with experts from the aging, health care and Senior services realms to create social networking sites that connect Seniors and boomers around accepted interests. Social networking may have an additional health aid for Seniors as social networking can help Seniors make new friends, connect with family, and overcome social isolation. Some social networking sites aim at Seniors new to the web, while other sites bring sophisticated social networking tools to Seniors who are a little more tech savvy.

Which social networking sites fabricate the biggest plash with seniors and baby boomers? Check out these Top 10 Best Senior Social Networking Sites and Online Tools. Sure to set sophistication, sizzle and sass into Senior and Baby Boomer social networking.

1. Genkvetch Social Networking
Slogan: Social networking for those who recall rotary phones and 45-rpm records
Website: www.genkvetch.com
Registration: Free, required registration.
Applications: User-friendly apps for seniors employ to post, share.
Description: Genkvetch is about the over-50 set and gets high marks for readability, big fonts, simple color scheme, a personals section and news of interest to seniors, including health, current events and volunteer opportunities. Genkvetch is open to people of all faiths, accepts no advertisements, and seems to really understand Seniors’ interests. Genkvetch is not a flashy or sophisticated spot, but great fun for all. If you’re not tech savvy, this is a good place to begin connecting with other Seniors.

2. ThirdAge
Slogan: Baby Boomer health, aging and retirement
Website: www.thirdage.com
Registration: Free, and required to access interactive features, including home, profile, chat, Special offers.
Applications: Senior newsletters, groups, discussion boards, videos, articles, classes, polls, horoscopes, games, etc.
Description: Exquisite sophisticated situation for Seniors and Baby Boomers. Leading online lifestage media, marketing and consumer insight company focused on serving Baby Boomers. Through strategic partnerships and integrated advertising campaigns, ThirdAge helps companies build lasting relationships with site audience. ThirdAge has more than 1,000,000 unique visitors each month, and nearly 1,000,000 subscriber to its customized newsletters each week. SeniorPeopleMeet function is geared to Baby Boomers and older adults who may not be tech savvy.

3. Seniorocity
Slogan: Premier Online Social Networking Community for Adults over 40
Website: www.seniorocity.com
Registration: Member log in provided for access to interactive features. Postings, pictures, group posts, etc.
Applications: Profiles, photo allotment, posting. Profile photos, share functions enabled.
Description: Geared to Baby Boomers and older adults who are not necessarily tech savvy. Seniorocity is an online community for adults developed to provide a social network for “Mature Adults and Seniors.” Billed as an alternative to Facebook. Takes awhile to get around the site, become comfortable. Great links for Seniors.

4. AARP Online Community
Slogan: Where friends and family network, portion photos
Website: www.aarp.org/onlinecommunity
Registration: For free, to build profile, join groups and connect with others
Applications: Senior e-news, games, photos, videos, discounts.
Description: User friendly for Seniors, but diminutive, online community site. Seems to be an extention of AARP spot and a location where AARP drives content, products and services. Registration enables access to AARP’s weekly Webletter with the latest news and information from AARP.org for seniors everywhere.

5. Eons
Slogan: Online community for spirited Boomers
Website: www.eons.com
Registration, Free, to access interactive features for seniors and boomers.
Applications: Profiles, groups, pictures, Brain games, puzzles.
Description: Magnificent sophisticated position for seniors and Boomers. Eons.com is the online community for spirited Boomers who want to explore their passions, retain in touch with friends, connect with engaging people. Groups on Body & Health, Money & Careers, Disappear, Love, Fun, Learning, and so much more. Awesome brain games.

6. Rezoom
Slogan: Redefining life for an ageless generation
Website: www.rezoom.com
Applications: Online groups for seniors, boomers, photo share, blog, email, etc.
Registration: Free, to access ReZoom community, part photos, blog, etc.
Description: Sophisticated website and online community. For Baby Boomers and younger. Self-described as an “alternative to AARP.” Focused on health and wellness, disappear, entertainment, going green, and investing. Committed to “building a better world” through charitable donations. Interesting social network and website for Seniors and Boomers.

7. Multiply
Slogan: One place for doing more with your media
Website: http://multiply.com
Applications: Website, blog, email, photos, share features. Integrated tools for creative media.
Registration: Free, to access interactive features.
Description: Sophisticated but easy site to navigate. Great for Seniors who want to post and part creative content, writing and photographs. One place to do something more with media products. Multiple gives you access to your own website where you can post, blog and keep in touch. Easy uploading of photographs and videos. Integrated tools for creative media, like cards, calendars, photographs, and more.

8. Boomj
Slogan: A lifestyle and social network for Baby Boomers
Website: www.boomj.com
Applications: Full service social networking site, under construction in Winter 2009-2010. Blogs, video, chat
Registration: Free, to access interactive features.
Description: Portal and social networking site aimed at Baby Boomers as target audience. Heavy on the advertisements. Social, political, financial and lifestyle converse for Baby Boomers. Currently, under construction, but promises highly interactive, cutting-edge applications and online tools for Seniors and Boomers.

9. Senior Chatroom
Slogan: Best place in the world for Seniors or persons 30, 40, 50, 60+
Website: senior-chatroom.com
Applications: Audio-video chatrooms, Webcam chat, senior’s chatroom gallery
Registration: Free registration to access interactive features
Description: Audio-video chatrooms and webcam chat for persons 30-65+, for friendship, savor and more. Senior-friendly, easy to use. Large print, directions for chat, etc. Great site for Seniors.

10. My Boomer Place
Slogan: For seasoned travellers of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s
Website: www.myboomerplace.com
Applications: Gallery, forums, posts, videos, quizzes, classifieds, and more
Registration: Free, to create profile, share.
Description: A self-described place to “meet, congregate, and develop current relationships” with persons of similar interests. Forum pages can be viewed even if you haven’t registered, and content looks up to date and relevant to Senior and Boomer interests and activities.

Honorable Mention: Senior Social Networking Sites

The Frigid Grandma
Slogan: Empower Senior online community and have fun doing it
Website: www.coolgrandma.com
Applications: Articles, chat, discussion forums, tutorials, links to games, and more
Registration: Free registration, for posting in forum. No registration to read forum topics, divulge. Listing fees for posting links, announcements to “frigid sites.”
Description: Senior online community. Lots of features. Some still being built, like email. Discussion forums look interesting for Seniors, but absence of dates on these and other features make me Wonder if this content is “evergreen” or outdated.

Senior.com
Slogan: Your internet community
Website: www.senior.com
Applications: forums, chat, information sharing tools.
Registration:Free, for access to interactive features
Description: News, articles, tools, and more for Seniors and caregivers. Focus on health and wellness, caregiving, recreation, activities, and healthy living. An internet community for sharing information and stories.

Love to Know – Seniors
Slogan: Everything you’d love to know
Website: http://seniors.lovetoknow.com
Applications: Information, galore
Registration: Sign up for emails, etc.
Description: Dedicated site for Seniors and caregivers. Great information, features for everyone in the family.

RESOURCES

Safe Social Networking
Joyce Remy, Editor, and Dennis Kenny, Co-Author in Plan Ahead, Stay Connected, Keep Moving, Aging in Stride, 2010

Future Years
www.futureyears.com

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
www.aarp.org