Facebook, Twitter may cut BP and diabetes in older adults

Facebook, Twitter may cut BP and diabetes in older adults
Logging on to social media could reduce loneliness as well as chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes in older adults.

‘Older adults think the benefits of social technology greatly outweigh the costs and challenges of technology,’ Chopik added. Previous research on technology use across the life span had focused on the digital divide — or the disparities between younger and older adults — painting a rather bleak picture of seniors’ ability and motivation to adapt to a changing technological landscape. However, the new study challenge this interpretation. ‘Despite the attention that the digital divide has garnered in recent years, a large proportion of older adults use technology to maintain their social networks and make their lives easier,’ Chopik said, adding, ‘in fact, there may be portions of the older population that use technology as often as younger adults.’ For the study, the team examined the benefits of using technology for social connection among older adults in 591 participants with an average age of 68. The findings are published online in the journal Cyberpsychology , Behavior and Social Networking . (Read: Study says your Facebook updates can predict your risk of alcohol addiction)

Source: IANS

Photo source: Getty images (Image for representational purpose only)

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