The world’s biggest lie: seniors are not on social media

By Aavesh Anand

Believe it or not, seniors are more connected, engaged, and active on social media platforms today than ever before.

The latest stats show that 88% of adults over 50 are using at least one social media platform. That’s nearly 9 out of 10! And what’s even more interesting? A whopping 43% of them are on social media daily. They’re not just lurking; they’re active, connected, and ready to engage.

The King of Social Media for Seniors is Facebook.  As many as 71% of older adults are on Facebook. In fact, seniors are among Facebook’s fastest-growing demographic, especially those aged 65 and above.  Last year’s figures show that of Facebook’s 3 billion plus users, 6.6.% are above 65 that is close to 200 million.

Seniors love Facebook because this social media giant makes it easy for older adults to stay connected with family, friends, and even long-lost classmates.

Its simple and intuitive interface makes it easy for seniors to navigate.  Plus, don’t forget, everyone’s there! From family members to high school buddies, Facebook’s massive community of three billion plus means seniors can connect with people they’ve known for years.

Interestingly, Facebook is also a go-to spot for staying informed. Whether it’s breaking news or updates from their favourite charities, seniors are getting their news and info right on Facebook.

Then, there’s entertainment. From cute cat videos to comedy clips, Facebook offers endless opportunities to stay entertained, which keeps seniors coming back for more.

And it’s not just about sharing life updates. Facebook groups are a big draw for older adults. Whether they’re discussing book clubs, exploring new hobbies, or supporting causes they care about, Facebook’s community vibe is a key reason seniors stick around.

For many seniors, YouTube isn’t just a place to watch videos—it’s a place to learn  and  explore . Whether it’s Do it Yourself projects, cooking tips, or health advice, there’s no shortage of content to keep them engaged.

The Second Favourite

The second Social Media favourite of Seniors is YouTube.

Over 59% of those aged 55+ visit YouTube several times a week!

Whether it’s entertainment, evergreen music numbers, religious chants, stand up comedies, engaging clips or news, older adults love consuming video content. YouTube is easy to navigate, and they can watch what they like, when they like.

You Tube is also perfect for “how-to” content, which appeals to seniors who want to learn new skills, explore hobbies, or dive deeper into their interests.

Now, here’s where things get exciting. A platform like Instagram —once thought to be just for the younger crowd— is now gaining traction among seniors too.

Instagram’s focus on visual content is a big draw, with 28% of seniors using the platform to share and view photos of family, travel, and more.

Stories, reels, and personal moments make Instagram a perfect platform for seniors to feel connected to their loved ones in a more visual way.

You can find the latest Facebook and YouTube statistics on Social Shepherd.

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