Can we prescribe social media to combat loneliness and social isolation? The world increasingly interacts online, and older adults are no exception. Can social media be a tool family physicians use to help our patients feels connected with others? Key Points Internet use can strengthen social networks in older adults - Several studies show reduction of social isolation and loneliness compared to baseline
Policy; Committee on the Health and Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2020 Feb 27. 9, Interventions. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557966/ % of U.S. adults 65 and who say they ever use …
- Frequency of contact with friends, frequency of contact with family, and attendance at organizational meetings is positively associated with internet use
(Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Jan. 25-Feb. 8, 2021. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media)
- May be especially beneficial for those who are homebound
• Instagram 13%
• Facebook 50%
However
• Twitter 22%
- As more people go online, the inability to use internet platforms by older adults may actually exacerbate social isolation
• YouTube 49%
- Internet use to find new people may be a risk factor for loneliness and social isolation. It may benefit primarily those with existing social network by maintaining close ties in existing relationships. Those who are already isolated may not benefit by internet use alone Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences; Board on Health Sciences
• TikTok 4% • NextDoor 8% If you are looking to be more engaged on social media, download the CAFP Social Media Toolkit for Family Physicians. The CAFP communications team and Membership Engagement Committee (MEC) have created a Social Media Toolkit. This toolkit provides best practices, including the top 10 things to maximize your impact on social media. Resources include two CAFP webinars available in Homeroom any time: Social Media Basics for Family Physicians and Social Media as an Advocacy Tool: A Look at #ThisIsOurShot, Using Your Voice to Build Vaccine Trust. The toolkit also includes examples of how to respond to misinformation, and a list of family medicine thought leaders to follow.
Figure 1. Social Media use by age. Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2005-2021. Pew Research Center. California Family Physician Autumn 2022
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