Finding yourself over a certain age in a digitally dominated society can be overwhelming to say the least. However, like it or not, this is the world we live in. It’s more important than ever to not only embrace technology, but use it to your advantage.
Digital communication like social media is one of the greatest gifts of our time, despite how intimidating you may find it to be. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it’s an incredible alternative to traditional methods of communication like the telephone.
After all, when you look back on a day when it cost potentially hundreds of dollars a phone call to keep in touch with our friends and family who lived in other cities, the idea of free communication on social media is incredibly appealing!
However, social media, despite all of its perks and advantages, does come with a learning curve. To get the most out of it, it’s important that you learn the ropes before diving in. Here are some of the best tips for people over 70 navigating the world of social media.
Know Your Platforms
Remember, not every social media platform was created equally. Get to know each one, and you may find that you have a preference for certain platforms over others. For example, if you’re using social media primarily for the purpose of connecting with people professionally, then you’ll probably find that LinkedIn is the best place.
However, if you’re looking to keep up with the lives of your grandchildren, then you may find that Snapchat or Instagram are more appropriate places to create an account. Each one comes with its own learning curve, and unique audience. Get to know each one and its perks and disadvantages. Remember, each one has unique advantages compared to its competitors.
Don’t Forget Security
Perhaps one of the biggest concerns with social media is security. You don’t want to throw all of the information out there about yourself for the world to see. Refrain from sharing delicate details about yourself like your home address or your phone number. Above all, consider changing your profile to private status. That means only a certain audience can see your posts and profile information, giving you more peace of mind and privacy.
Play “Nice”
Social media is certainly a place for you to express yourself, yet it’s still important that you express yourself in an acceptable way. Bashing others or forcing your opinion onto others will not be well appreciated in the social media world.
The idea is to stay engaged, and true to yourself, all while respecting other viewpoints and opinions. If you start to insult people or post inappropriate content, this could rub people the wrong way. Depending on the types of people that follow your social media, this could lead to problems down the road—you’re better off playing nice.