{"id":22,"date":"2026-04-17T15:27:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanjac.myseniorfocus.org\/summer-2026-volume-7-issue-2\/making-social-media-work-for-you\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:51:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:51:28","slug":"making-social-media-work-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.myseniorfocus.org\/summer-2026-volume-7-issue-2\/making-social-media-work-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Making social media work for you"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Whether you\u2019re keeping up with grandchildren, reconnecting with classmates, or exploring a hobby you love, social media might already be a bigger part of your life than you realize.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">And you\u2019re not alone. According to AARP, 74% of adults 50 and older are already on social platforms. It\u2019s a space where real moments are shared and real relationships are maintained.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">But as the digital world keeps changing, so do the risks. The good news? According to Tricia Himebaugh, San Jacinto College digital media coordinator, you don\u2019t have to be afraid, because a little caution goes a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Bold';\">Benefits of staying connected<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">If you\u2019re retired or living far from family, logging in each day can provide routine, entertainment, and a sense of belonging. Social media lets you celebrate birthdays, share memories, and watch milestones unfold in real time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">\u201cIt really can reduce feelings of isolation,\u201d Himebaugh said. \u201cIt keeps people involved in what\u2019s happening with their families and communities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Research backs that up. A 2024 Macquarie University study showed that social media use can meaningfully improve older adults\u2019 mental and emotional well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Different platforms serve different purposes. Facebook remains one of the most user-friendly options because its design updates have been gradual over the years, making it familiar and accessible. Instagram is ideal for viewing photos and short videos and following hobby-focused pages \u2014 whether gardening, quilting, woodworking, cooking, or faith-based content.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Other platforms can also enrich your daily life. Pinterest offers inspiration for crafts, recipes, and home projects, while YouTube provides tutorials and educational videos on virtually any topic. It\u2019s no surprise that nearly half of seniors now spend more than an hour on social media every day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Bold';\">Setting up your account the right way<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">While social media offers real connection, proper setup is key.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Himebaugh recommends adjusting your privacy settings immediately when creating an account. You should avoid making your birthdate, anniversary, or phone number public and consider keeping your family member list private.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">\u201cIt\u2019s a good idea to review your settings at least once a year,\u201d she said. \u201cPlatforms change, and sometimes new features are added without people realizing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Strong passwords are equally important. If you reuse the same password across multiple accounts, you\u2019re increasing your vulnerability. Instead, Himebaugh suggests using your device\u2019s password generator and autofill tools to create complex, unique passwords.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">\u201cIf someone gets one password from the dark web, they can potentially access everything,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Bold';\">Think before you click<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">One of the most common security issues you may encounter involves clicking external links \u2014 even when they appear to come from friends.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Hackers often gain access through \u201cfun\u201d quizzes, shopping links, or compromised accounts that send messages without the owner\u2019s knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">\u201cIf it takes you outside the app, think twice,\u201d Himebaugh said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">External websites can collect your data, display pop-up ads, or attempt to capture your credit card information. Staying within trusted platforms reduces your risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Bold';\">Navigating AI and online scams<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Artificial intelligence has made online scams more sophisticated. AI-generated videos and translated audio are increasingly common, and you may find it difficult to distinguish between authentic and manipulated content.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Signs something may not be legitimate include robotic speech patterns, exaggerated visuals, or urgent emotional appeals encouraging you to share or send money immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Before you share alarming news, Himebaugh advises verifying it through trusted outlets such as CNN, ABC News, or The New York Times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">\u201cIf major news organizations aren\u2019t reporting it, pause,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Voice-mimicking scams have also become more prevalent. Some criminals use AI to imitate a family member\u2019s voice, claiming to be in trouble and asking for money. If that ever happens to you, the safest response is simple: hang up and call your relative directly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Some families even establish private code words known only to immediate members \u2014 an added layer of verification in an increasingly digital world.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Bold';\">A balanced approach<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">Despite the risks, Himebaugh emphasizes that social media remains a powerful tool when you use it wisely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">\u201cIt\u2019s really about having a healthy level of skepticism,\u201d she said. \u201cConfirm the source. Verify the information. Slow down before you click or share.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">With routine security checkups and a cautious mindset, social media can continue to be a source of connection, inspiration, and community in your life. It doesn\u2019t have to be overwhelming \u2014 just intentional<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans';\">By Melissa Trevizo<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re keeping up with grandchildren, reconnecting with classmates, or exploring a hobby you love, social media might already be a bigger part of your life than you realize.\u00a0 And you\u2019re not alone. According to AARP, 74% of adults 50 and older are already on social platforms. It\u2019s a space where real moments are shared&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/sanjac.myseniorfocus.org\/summer-2026-volume-7-issue-2\/making-social-media-work-for-you\/\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1],"tags":[],"article_type":[],"class_list":["post-22","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-news","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3.1 (Yoast SEO v25.3.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Making social media work for you - Summer 2026, Volume 7 \u2013 Issue 2<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sanjac.myseniorfocus.org\/summer-2026-volume-7-issue-2\/making-social-media-work-for-you\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Making social media work for you\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re keeping up with grandchildren, reconnecting with classmates, or exploring a hobby you love, social media might already be a bigger part of your life than you realize.\u00a0 And you\u2019re not alone. 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