By: Tom Vandel
Senior Communications Specialist

Once you get the hang of it, social networking is really quite simple. All you need is a computer or mobile device (like a smartphone or a tablet) and a functioning online signal. You may want a decent photo of yourself for your profile, but it’s up to you. Here are the major social media sites that are most popular with older adults.

eons.com   Eons is a social networking site designed for “boomers” aged 50 and older. Similar to Facebook, it allows you to post messages and photos, join interest groups, discuss boomer-centric issues, play games, and keep in touch with family and friends.

facebook.com   By far the most popular social networking website, Facebook is used by 41% of the population in the U.S. You can create a personal profile for yourself and ask others to become “friends” and link with you. Many people will ask you to be their friend as well. It’s up to you how many people you want to connect with. You and your contacts can share messages, photos, videos and links. Additionally, many businesses have profiles where you can find out about up-to-the-minute news and Facebook-only discounts when you “Like” them.

twitter.com   Twitter is a free social networking site designed for quick, short messages that are shared among your network of contacts. The messages, known as “tweets”, must be no longer than 140 characters and can include links to other messages or online sites. Once you set up a profile, you can “follow” the tweets of others. They can follow your tweets as well if you allow them. Twitter is a great way to stay in touch with family, friends, businesses, and interest groups.

youtube.com   As the name implies, YouTube is a website where you can watch videos, TV, movie clips, and home movies—all available for free. You don’t have to be a member. Just go to the website and search for a subject of interest. If you become a registered user, you can post your own videos on the site for anyone to see and comment on. Search for this great YouTube video called “Flintstones Hearing Loss”, which uses The Flintstones to illustrate the different levels of hearing loss.

flickr.com   Flickr is an image and video hosting website and online community. It’s a place where you can store, sort, search and display photos for people to see. Once you put the images on the site anyone can view them. If you want to share private photos with family or friends, you send them a message with a Guest Pass link to your page of images. You can upload up to 300 MB of images per month for free.

groupon.com  Think of Groupon as a “group coupon.” It is a website that offers a deal of the day in various geographic markets in the U.S. and abroad. One deal, such as a discounted restaurant meal, is offered per day. If enough people sign up for it, then the deal goes live and is available to all.

foursquare.com  Foursquare is a location-based social networking website. This free service is available to people with GPS-enabled mobile devices, such as smartphones. When you “check in” at venues such as restaurants or stores, you earn points that can be redeemed for special discounts and prizes.

yelp.com  Yelp provides reviews and information on local businesses. Just enter what you are searching for—such as, “hearing care”—and your general location and you get a listing of area businesses with contact information, a map, rankings and reviews (by real people). It’s a great way to share the gift of better hearing!