Social networking sites experience large growth among older adults

As Facebook and other web 2.0 are great resources to keep in touch with family and friends, all users need to be careful of the dangers and avoid clicking on suspicious links, free offers too good to be true, and not disclose private information.

Older adults are flocking to social networks
http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/27/4982716-older-adults-are-flocking-to-social-networks

QUOTE: Social networking use by Internet users ages 50 and older nearly doubled in the past year, going from 22 percent in April 2009 to 42 percent in May 2010, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project’s new report, "Older Adults and Social Media." While 86 percent of younger Internet users (ages 18 to 29) "continue to be the heaviest users”"of social sites like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn, "over the past year, their growth paled in comparison with the gains made by older users," Pew said. One of the main reasons for older adults' increased interest and use of social networking sites: They know Facebook and Twitter are where their kids and grandkids are spending time, and it’s a way to "bridge generational gaps," said Mary Madden, Pew senior research specialist and author of the report.