The relationship between technology and society has always been complex, especially when it comes to older generations. From the invention of the telegraph in the 19th century to the rise of the Internet in the late 20th century, each wave of innovation has generated both excitement and concern. Social media, which became a major force in the early twenty-first century, has reshaped human communication, relationships and daily life more than almost any invention since the telephone. Although it has provided convenience and connectivity, its impact on the elderly population has not been entirely positive. For older citizens who did not grow up with smartphones, tablets or digital platforms, the rise of social media has created new challenges, risks and disadvantages that often outweigh its perceived benefits. To understand the depth of these bad effects it is important to first look at the historical evolution of social media and how it gradually became indispensable in the lives of senior citizens.
The early stages of computer-mediated communication emerged in the late 1960s with ARPANET, a US military research project that linked various research institutions. By 1969, the first successful message was sent between UCLA and Stanford. Although this technology was designed for research, it laid the foundation for what would later become the Internet. At the time, elderly citizens had no exposure to such networks, and communication for them was based on traditional media such as radio, television, newspapers, and face-to-face conversations. For senior citizens in the 1970s, technology meant household appliances, not digital screens. But as the decades passed, the situation changed dramatically.
By 1978, bulletin board systems (BBS) came into existence, allowing users to log in, post messages, and share files. This was an early version of social networking, although it was limited to hobbyists and computer enthusiasts. Senior citizens were excluded because computer literacy was low in the elderly population. However, the seeds of digital dependency were being sown. The 1980s saw the rise of commercial online services such as CompuServe and AOL, which offered email, chat rooms, and forums. Elderly individuals in this period often struggled to adapt. Many retirees who had spent their lives using typewriters or rotary phones were suddenly faced with a world changing towards digital communications. This technological gap meant that older people often felt left out of family interactions that took place online.
By the 1990s, the World Wide Web, launched in 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee, introduced websites and opened digital communication to the masses. With the rise of Yahoo! in 1994, followed by Hotmail in 1996 and Google in 1998, the Internet became part of everyday life. Email, instant messaging, and forums became the new norm for communication. Senior citizens often faced feelings of isolation as many did not know how to navigate these tools. By the end of the decade, young people had already moved most of their social interaction online, leaving older people feeling isolated.
The real turning point came in the early 2000s, when platforms such as Friendster (2002), MySpace (2003), LinkedIn (2003), and Facebook (2004) emerged. Facebook in particular, launched in 2004 and opened to the general public in 2006, became a worldwide phenomenon. By the late 2000s, families increasingly shared their lives on Facebook. For elderly citizens, especially grandparents, this was both a boon and a bane. On the one hand, it gave them the opportunity to see photos of grandchildren and keep in touch with distant relatives. On the other hand, it created pressure to adapt to an unfamiliar digital environment. Many older people were forced to join Facebook just to stay connected, leading to stress, frustration, and ultimately dependence on a platform they often felt unsafe with.
The negative effects became more pronounced after 2010, when smartphones replaced desktop computers as the main gateway to social media. With the launch of the iPhone in 2007 and the widespread adoption of Android devices by 2010, social media moved into the pockets of billions of people. Platforms such as Twitter, launched in 2006, Instagram in 2010, and WhatsApp in 2009, became household names. However, for seniors this mobile-first era brought new difficulties. Unlike younger people who easily adapt to touchscreens and rapid updates, many older individuals found frequent software changes confusing. They often faced concerns about accidentally pressing the wrong button, exposing private information, or experiencing fraud.
The psychological damage was evident. Studies in the 2010s showed that elderly social media users experienced high levels of loneliness despite being “connected” online. For many, scrolling through photos of younger relatives traveling, celebrating, or engaging in activities led to feelings of exclusion. Instead of being physically invited to events, seniors were often tagged in photos, reinforcing the idea that they were spectators in their families’ lives rather than participants. The shift from physical visits to digital communication has also worsened social isolation for many older people, especially those living in nursing homes or living alone.
Social media also exposed senior citizens to cybercrime. Since the year 2012, reports of elderly people being targeted under phishing scams, fake friend requests and fraudulent investment schemes have increased significantly. Senior citizens, who often had little savings and lacked digital literacy, became prime targets for criminals operating through Facebook, WhatsApp and email. This not only resulted in financial loss but also emotional trauma, leaving older individuals fearful of digital interactions altogether.
The addictive design of the platforms further worsened mental health in the elderly population. By 2015, Facebook’s algorithm-driven feed and Instagram’s focus on visual perfection created endless loops of content in which even older users found themselves trapped. Instead of engaging in outdoor walks, community activities or traditional hobbies, many senior citizens began spending long hours staring at screens. This sedentary lifestyle resulted in physical health problems, including eye strain, poor posture, decreased mobility and disruption of sleep cycles. Constant exposure to blue light from screens often disrupts natural circadian rhythms, leading to insomnia—a problem already common in older age.
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 further exacerbated these challenges. Lockdowns forced older citizens to turn to digital spaces more than ever. Many seniors joined WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, or Zoom calls to avoid complete isolation. While this initially appeared beneficial, it also increased the exposure to misinformation. Seniors were often among the groups most affected by fake news and conspiracy theories spread through social media during the pandemic. Lack of digital literacy made it harder for them to distinguish between reliable sources and fabricated stories, resulting in unnecessary panic, distrust in medical advice, or sometimes refusal to get vaccinated.
In addition to misinformation, the social changes brought about by social media also harmed the elderly psychologically. Before the digital age, older individuals played important roles in families as storytellers, memory keepers, and advisors. With the rise of platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram Reels after 2016, young people began seeking entertainment and advice from strangers online rather than gaining knowledge from elders. This shift eroded the respect and authority traditionally accorded to older generations. Many senior citizens felt ignored, undervalued or invisible in their own families.
The intergenerational gap widened even further in the 2020s. By 2022, TikTok had become one of the most prominent platforms, filled with fast-moving trends, slang, and memes that most elderly citizens could not understand. This cultural shift left older people out of conversations and family jokes. While in previous centuries the elderly were a source of cultural continuity, in the digital age they often had difficulty understanding even what younger generations were talking about. This disconnection deepened feelings of loneliness and irrelevance.
At the same time, the commercialization of social media increased pressure on elderly users. Targeted advertising based on algorithmic data collection often exploited older citizens. Many were shown ads for miracle health cures, fake supplements, or financial schemes. Since 2018, reports have shown that elderly people click on targeted ads more than younger users, partly because they trust written words and images presented in professional formats. This results in exploitation, unnecessary expenses, and even worse health outcomes when seniors use unregulated products.
As of the mid-2020s, social media continues to present new challenges for elderly citizens. Artificial intelligence integration, virtual reality experiments, and the rise of the metaverse are pushing digital culture into even more complex forms. For younger users these can be exciting opportunities. However, for seniors each new phenomenon creates another layer of isolation, stress, and potential harm.
If we trace the journey from ARPANET in 1969 to the rise of TikTok in the 2020s, one theme is clear: the digital revolution has not been equally kind to all generations. While young people have benefited from opportunity, self-expression, and access to knowledge, the elderly population has faced exclusion, manipulation, health risks, and psychological stress. Social media’s promise to “connect everyone” has in many ways backfired for seniors, leaving them more disconnected from genuine human warmth, more vulnerable to exploitation, and more encumbered by technology rather than liberated by it.
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