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Cognitive Benefits of Online Social Networking for Healthy Older Adults

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  • Janelle W Myhre
  • Matthias R Mehl
  • Elizabeth L Glisky

Abstract

ObjectivesResearch suggests that older adults who remain socially active and cognitively engaged have better cognitive function than those who are isolated and disengaged. This study examined the efficacy of learning and using an online social networking website, Facebook.com, as an intervention to maintain or enhance cognitive function in older adults.MethodForty-one older adults were assigned to learn and use Facebook (n = 14) or an online diary website (active control, n = 13) for 8 weeks or placed on a waitlist (n = 14). Outcome measures included neuropsychological tests of executive functions, memory, and processing speed and self-report questionnaires about social engagement.ResultsThe Facebook group showed a significant increase in a composite measure of updating, an executive function factor associated with complex working memory tasks, compared to no significant change in the control groups. Other measures of cognitive function and social support showed no differential improvement in the Facebook group.DiscussionLearning and using an online social networking site may provide specific benefits for complex working memory in a group of healthy older adults. This may reflect the particular cognitive demands associated with online social networking and/or the benefits of social engagement more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • Janelle W Myhre & Matthias R Mehl & Elizabeth L Glisky, 2017. "Cognitive Benefits of Online Social Networking for Healthy Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(5), pages 752-760.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:72:y:2017:i:5:p:752-760.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbw025
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne Juul & Raelene Wilding & Loretta Baldassar, 2019. "The Best Day of the Week: New Technology Enhancing Quality of Life in a Care Home," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Yu, Dandan & Fiebig, Denzil G., 2020. "Internet use and cognition among middle-aged and older adults in China: A cross-lagged panel analysis," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 17(C).
    3. Asongu, Simplice A & Odhiambo, Nicholas M, 2023. "Information technology, inequality and adult literacy in developing countries," Working Papers 29843, University of South Africa, Department of Economics.
    4. José Manuel Muñoz-Rodríguez & María José Hernández-Serrano & Carmen Tabernero, 2020. "Digital Identity Levels in Older Learners: A New Focus for Sustainable Lifelong Education and Inclusion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Cristina G. Dumitrache & Laura Rubio & José Luis Cabezas Casado & Eulogio Cordón-Pozo, 2022. "Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey Instrument in a sample of Spanish older adults," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 143-154, March.
    6. He, Yuan & Li, Ke & Wang, Yipan, 2022. "Crossing the digital divide: The impact of the digital economy on elderly individuals’ consumption upgrade in China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Klaus Ackermann & Sefa Awaworyi Churchill & Russell Smyth, 2023. "Broadband Internet and Cognitive Functioning," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 99(327), pages 536-563, December.
    8. Wen-Huei Chou & Yi-Chun Li & Ya-Fang Chen & Mieko Ohsuga & Tsuyoshi Inoue, 2022. "Empirical Study of Virtual Reality to Promote Intergenerational Communication: Taiwan Traditional Glove Puppetry as Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    9. Wang, Kun & Gu, Danan, 2023. "Reciprocal associations between social media use and self-perception of aging among older adults: Do men and women differ?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

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