Having Fun Online Contributes to Successful Aging
Having Fun Online Contributes to Successful Aging
October 26, 2011
Robotics & High-Tech, Social Sciences & Humanities
The Jewish Week — Gerontologists have long known that high levels of physical health, cognitive health and social engagement contribute to successful aging.
The Internet gives senior citizens ways to keep their minds sharp and stay social as their friends begin to pass away or they become less mobile.
A new BGU study indicates that seniors can benefit greatly from spending time in cyberspace, especially by engaging in what researchers have termed “fun online.”
Dr. Galit Nimrod, senior lecturer at BGU’s department of communication studies and research fellow at its Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, had previously done research showing that “fun online” was the most dominant component of senior online communities.
“The biggest surprise in the previous content analysis study was that I found that the main subject in seniors’ online communities was not discussion of retirement, health or family — as might be expected,” says Nimrod.
She found that the main subjects the seniors posted about were sex, gender differences, aging, grandparenting, politics, faith and alcohol — with the first two being the most popular.
Read more on the The Jewish Week website >>
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