Virtual seat at the family table: Why many older people use social media

A recent study found positive associations between internet use and mental health among older adults in 23 countries.

- Bernardo Figueiredo and Torgeir Aleti

The Australian government's recent decision to ban under-16s from social media has focused attention on the harms it can cause - especially to young people.

But young people are just one segment of the population who use social media. According to the Digital 2024 report, 78.3 per cent of Australians regularly use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram - mainly for keeping in touch with friends and family.

Perhaps surprisingly, a large proportion of these users are older people. For example, the Digital 2024 report also shows that 21.3 per cent of Meta's advertisement audience in Australia (on Messenger, Facebook and Instagram) are 55 years or older. This makes it the second-largest age group after 25- to 34-year-olds (25.4 per cent).

So what does research say about how social media affects older people's social lives and well-being?

GROWING PRESENCE The digital divide is shrinking as older generations embrace social media. According to data from earlier in 2024, more than 70 per cent of Australians aged 65 and older use social media to some degree.

Facebook remains the most popular among this demographic, serving as a gateway to reconnect with family and long-lost friends. Beyond reconnecting, our research indicates older adults often use these platforms to share memories, participate in community groups and access news.

This growing trend is driven by both internal and external factors. Research shows many older users are motivated by the desire to stay connected with their families, particularly grandchildren, who often share their lives through social media.