SPOKANE, Wash. -- Mastering the art of social media - Facebook, Twitter, YouTube - is something many have conquered, but now more and more seniors are jumping on the social bandwagon as well.For seniors "liking", commenting and defriending are foreign concepts but at AARP's Get Connected event held in Spokane Thursday, 350 seniors took the plunge to learn how to master social media.Nancy Pritt was among those who wanted to take the plunge online. "I want to learn more, I want to get involved and do it," she said. "I'm pretty empowered about the whole thing ... I'm ready to start."She, along with other seniors like her, are getting some help from Marsha Collier, the author of "Facebook And Twitter For Seniors For Dummies.""It's a great way to build your life as you get older it doesn't have to get smaller it can get bigger," Collier said.While it might be scary at first, Collier says it's time to dive in"They just need that little extra push to get people online, stalk your children thing, I stalk my daughter all the time," she said.A study recently found people 65 and older are the fastest growing age group in the State of Washington joining Facebook. And while Nancy Pritt might not have a Facebook account yet, she already knows the lingo."A comment would be I saw you on at the AARP session of Get Connected ... you look great and I'd go "like" it," she said.Then there's friend requests …"That means you want to ask them to be invited into your program."… and of course a "Like.""To like something means you agree with that comment or statement it's a thumbs up."With the lingo down, now Nancy is ready to get connected on her own online."I've got some shopping to do so … right after this I'm looking forward to get going with it," she said.
Do you want your parents to know more about social networking, what it is and how to use it safely?
The event is designed for new or experienced computer users and will be held on Dec. 1, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center (334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard – Ballroom 100A). Doors will open at 9 a.m. for refreshments and resource information.
This workshop will show you how to connect with old friends, make new ones, get connected with AARP and communicate with the grandkids. You’ll get tips on safer socializing on the Internet and learn how to make your computer easier to see, hear and use.
Who do you think make up the fastest growing segment of people in Washington state joining Facebook? The answer: people age 65 and older.
That's according to a new survey commissioned by the AARP. Author and social media expert Marsha Collier and AARP volunteer Sis Polan joined Margaret to talk more about social networking and baby boomers and to promote an AARP-sponsored event taking place at Microsoft called "Get Connected."
That event was sold out, but there is another event scheduled for December 1 in Spokane. But ...
Join AARP, Microsoft and me, (I'm the author of “Facebook and Twitter for Seniors for Dummies”) at the Spokane Convention Center for a free workshop on Facebook, Twitter, Video Chat and Safer Socializing on the Internet.
The event is designed for new or experienced computer users and will be held on Dec. 1, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center (334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard – Ballroom 100A). Doors will open at 9 a.m. for refreshments and resource information.
This workshop will show you how to connect with old friends, make new ones, get connected with AARP and communicate with the grandkids. You’ll get tips on safer socializing on the Internet and learn how to make your computer easier to see, hear and use.
Check out their website by clicking here. You can also follow them on Twitter: @AARP - and ask questions by using the hashtag: #aarptech
Are you tired of being the social media support for your parents (grandparents)? Want to get them up to speed on how to use Twitter and Facebook? Next week will be my first workshop for those "of a certain age" at the Microsoft campus in Redmond on October 20. The next workshop will be in Spokane at the end of November ... more cities to come - stay tuned!
Redmond is sold out, but the event wil be livestreamed on the AARP Facebook Live stream page. Have your parents stop by for the live stream or I'd love to meet them when I visit their city.
A special thank you to Diane Brogan from MomPopPow for reviewing my Facebook & Twitter for Seniors For Dummies on youtube (which is the intro for my presentation).
