Although it is tempting to associate technology and the use of social media with younger individuals, there is another segment of society for which these tools have become important. As senior citizens encounter loss of loved ones, physical debilitations, and a society which changes at break-neck speed, feelings of depression and loneliness are often experienced. However, technology has become more affordable and user friendly, thus, more seniors are turning to social media for companionship, information, and entertainment. While senior citizens face many challenges associated with aging, those who use technology and social media experience a multitude of benefits which include renewed vitality, a greater voice and recognition in society, increased connectivity and involvement, and expanded interaction with family and friends.
As technology advances and becomes increasingly integrated into the daily lives of citizens around the world, the importance of digital literacy is unquestionably linked to societal relevance. Indeed, a disparity exists between those who use electronic means of communication and those who do not. For the purposes of this discussion the concentration will be on equipping elderly citizens with the knowledge of technology, via social media, thus empowering them with information, skills, and interaction which are not hindered by limited mobility. Educators agree that "senior citizenship is turned into a new stage of life, in which idleness symbolizes the practice of new activities, under the label of dynamism" (Adriano, Dante, Johannes, 2012, para. 1). Indeed, it is within the power of society to improve and empower its aging populations. Unlike the younger members of society, seniors came of age in an era which was not dominated by technology, but by machines and manual labor.
