Silver surfers are at home on Facebook

No longer just a tool for the youngsters, Facebook is welcoming an older generation of users. NAOMI DUNNING reports.

It was once confined to the use of teenagers and 20-somethings to share their every emotion, upload photgraphs of drunken nights out with friends and announce everything from engagements to baby arrivals to the world.

But Facebook is no longer just a tool for the kids – silver surfers are signing up to the social networking site in their droves.

Between 2009 and 2011, membership of the site increased by 41 per cent – and of those, 84 per cent of new users were over the age of 50.

So what is encouraging the older generation to sign up to a site which was originally designed for university students?

Grandmother Pat Jarvis said Facebook has played a pivotal role in helping her regain her confidence after a long period of illness now she can access the world from her fingertips.

Mrs Jarvis suffers with asthma and a number of other illnesses and in recent years has spent a great deal of time in hospital.

She said: "I have gone through periods where I haven't been able to leave the house, and I lost a great deal of confidence.

"I sometimes struggled to talk to people face to face or on the phone, so communicating through Facebook has been very helpful."

Mrs Jarvis, of Kitchen Lane, Wednesfield, was shown the ropes by her son, who set up an account for her about three years ago.

The 69-year-old said she logs in and will update her status, use the messaging feature and talks to friends on the instant chat service.

She said: "Sometimes when you are feeling down, or you are alone, it is good to go on and see that people are there. It's such a boost when someone comments on a status or sends you a message to see how you are. Even when they just 'like' something, it feels good. It's knowing someone is thinking about you."

Family history enthusiast Brian Haynes said he originally joined Facebook to keep up with his grandchildren, who were posting their photographs on the site.

The 71-year-old from Sedgley said he had always been interested in family history, and had researched his family tree right back to 1890.

The grandfather of two from Wombourne Close said: "I like to have it all recorded and keep photographs in albums. I wanted to keep records of the next generation as well, but I started to find that my grandchildren would put their photographs up on Facebook rather than print them out.

"By joining the site I got to see them. For example, when my youngest grandson was in a football competition, he put the photographs on Facebook. It meant I could go on there, download the picture and print it out for the album."

Facebook's 955 million users do not just use the site to see photographs, but use it communicate with people from across the world from their living room.

Those who do not have a computer are not letting that stop them from accessing the internet and social networking sites. Increasing numbers of people are heading to their local library to access the Net.

Librarian Sue Clark, who is based at West Bromwich Central Library, said increasing numbers of people are coming in and asking to be shown how to use Facebook.

She said: We see lots of older people coming in here to log on to Facebook.

"I think it's because it is the most publicised social networking site and is quite easy for people to use.

"I know that many of the older people come to our computer courses and sessions to go on Facebook."

The older generation are also not just using the site as a communication tool – many are embracing its quirky features and interactive games.

Mrs Jarvis said she plays the games "to keep her brain active".

She said: "I like CityVille and the games where you have to find hidden items. I will often turn off the chat feature if I am playing a game to concentrate. I spend quite a bit of time on there."

Baggies fan John Wheeler, 73, also likes to play the games on the site. He said: "I often play 8 ball pool on there, it's great fun, and just another way to use the site.

"I also go on the internet to check out the latest Albion news.

"I like it because it's instant, and I know any new information will go up on there straight away."

He, however, mostly uses the site to communicate with relatives and friends abroad.

The grandfather-of-four said: "I have a cousin who runs a business in Thailand, and I only communicate with him through Facebook.

"If we didn't have it, we would not be in touch."

He added: "I am quite slow on it. My granddaughters get annoyed with me because I am always asking them questions and I forget how to do things.

They have shown me quite a few times how to upload pictures, but I forget. But I like it when I can leave funny comments and remarks on their pages and pictures. It's just a great way to keep in touch."

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