It’s understandable to be concerned about how screen time affects young people and the addictive nature of social media, but older adults are also facing significant risks—sometimes even more so.
“It’s very concerning,” explained Dr. Stacey Wood, a clinical neuropsychologist and professor at Scripps College. “Older individuals might not fully grasp how algorithms operate or their influence… It’s quite challenging for them to decide what’s credible.”
Currently, nearly 90% of Americans over 50 are active on social media, with 72% using Facebook, 34% on Instagram, and 18% on TikTok. In fact, seniors aged 65 and above are estimated to spend about 104 minutes daily on social platforms, as reported by Statista.
Many older adults are also embracing AI technologies. According to Pew research from February, 23% of seniors use chatbots, with that number rising to 42% for those between 50 and 64.
While staying updated with technology can foster connections, it presents potential challenges.
Research on social media’s impact on younger individuals is well-established, but there’s a growing focus on older populations, and the findings are troubling.
Approximately one-third of baby boomers indicate a preference for short-form content over longer videos or shows, as highlighted in a consumer insights survey from 2025, trailing only behind the 40% of millennials. The ease of consuming such content raises concerns for Wood, who suspects it may lead to a detrimental cycle for older users.
Although more studies are needed, she suggests that engaging with straightforward social media might crowd out more intellectually stimulating activities, such as reading, which are vital for mental sharpness.
“It’s a bad habit of mind,” Wood noted.
Natalie Ebner, a psychologist at the University of Florida who examines brain aging, pointed out that rapidly changing content could be particularly impactful for older adults, whose brain reward centers aren’t as active or produce as much dopamine as younger brains:
“They need more stimulation to achieve the same level of reward,” she said. “The rapidly shifting nature of the internet poses the greatest risk to older individuals.”
As people grow older, Wood observed that they often become more inclined to believe information simply because they encounter it frequently, making them more vulnerable to sensational or highly partisan content.
“Research indicates that as age increases, individuals are significantly more likely—by five to ten times—to share partisan content, including misinformation, within their social circles,” she stated.
We still don’t fully understand the long-term effects of addictive, short-form content across age groups, as it’s relatively new. However, data regarding other forms of screen time reveals that passive internet use tends to pose risks as we age.
A review from 2025 examined various studies involving adults over 40 and found that “active” online pursuits—like writing emails or reading articles—correlate with better memory and cognitive functions, while passive consumption, such as watching videos, often links to decreased verbal memory and other cognitive issues.
Moreover, research shows that compulsive or problematic technology use—which is exacerbated by engaging with addictive short-form content—can be especially harmful to aging brains.
A study involving around 90,000 socially active adults over a 12-year period noted that moderate screen time was associated with a lower risk of dementia, while excessive usage linked to a heightened risk. Another study from 2026 identified problematic social media use among participants aged 60 to 89, noting it was connected to poorer cognitive abilities and social understanding.
Furthermore, scammers are becoming adept at using AI, increasing the vulnerability of older individuals to deception. Dr. Wood has encountered numerous clients who have fallen victim to these AI-driven scams, leading to devastating financial losses. “I’ve had clients who were left feeling hopeless… It’s tragic,” she recounted.
As a member of Gen Z who grew up in the digital age, I’ve seen the same parents who advised me to be cautious about the internet now spending more time than ever on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
While I’m grateful for technology that keeps us connected, it’s disheartening to witness even the oldest generations adopting the same unhealthy habits that my peers struggle with.
This is a common concern that merits intergenerational dialogue about our interactions with technology.
