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Silver surfers want a piece of the action

Posted in Digital, Mel Varley, Latest reporters' blogs September 28th, 2007 by Melinda Varley

They’re stereotyped as not having any grasp on technology, but now pensioners are saying they want to use social networks to find ‘like-minded people.’

A new report has found that 31 per cent of British pensioners want to network online, but they’re not turning to Facebook.

Lifestyle60.com, the new networking site for silver surfers allows oldies to find ‘a companion’, find recipes, search for property and read about gardening.

A report by Hitwise in May 2007 showed that UK internet users aged 55 plus are set to overtake 35-44 year olds as the age group with the largest representation on the web.

Furthermore, according to research by Nielsen/Netratings, the over 65s now spend more time online than any other age group.

It was only a matter of time before the next brilliant social networking idea came about. The social media industry literally has everyone covered making it possible for everyone not to just use technology and know how, but to enjoy it.

But how will a social network market itself to the older community? I can hardly imagine my grandparents telling their friends to join and check out their profiles and photos of their holidays.

While it seems like Lifestyle60.com is filling a gap in the market, is it any different from a dating service for the older generation and if so, how will pensioners be convinced to use it?