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Watch Out, Facebook. American Non-Profit Creates Social Network for Older Adults (arstechnica.com) 61

Posted by EditorDavid from the friend-request dept.
Wikipedia points out that America's two largest-circulation publications are the two magazine sent out to over 38 million members of massive non-profit AARP (originally the American Association of Retired Persons).

It's now starting its own social network to compete with Facebook (which according to a recent survey is being used by over 72 million Americans over the age of 50), Ars Technica reports: The nonprofit funded the creation of Senior Planet Community, a social media network that encourages users to join pre-existing groups around shared interests, including gardening, travel, fitness, food, and technology. In that way, it feels more like a pared-down version of Reddit or a small collection of forums....

Besides its focus on the 50-plus set, Senior Planet Community stands apart from Facebook in that it's not commercial. The site has no advertising or membership fees. Unless the cost to run the site grows substantially, that probably won't present much of a problem. AARP isn't saying how much it has put into Senior Planet Community, but the organization is famously well-capitalized, with $2.3 billion in net assets and $1.7 billion in revenue in 2020.

At present, the site is bare-bones when compared with Facebook. There's no mobile app yet, though OATS [the affiliate organization that built the social network] says it hopes to develop one. The site is mobile-friendly at least, and all the requisite features are there, including groups, photo sharing, @-mentions, notifications, and direct messaging. As with all social networks, a looming question is how Senior Planet Community will handle moderation. The site has a relatively extensive list of "house rules" that encourages users to "be courteous" and "cite your sources." Posts about politics aren't forbidden, but the rules say posts can't stray off-topic, and users can't "attack individuals, social, ethnic, or political groups and figures." Users can report posts they think violate the rules. Currently, the user base is relatively small, so policing it should be straightforward.

"The moderating team keeps an eye on all comments, posts, and updates added to the platform from the backend.... " Suzanne Myklebust, OATS's director of communications, told Ars.
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Watch Out, Facebook. American Non-Profit Creates Social Network for Older Adults More

Watch Out, Facebook. American Non-Profit Creates Social Network for Older Adults

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  • But only if you're allowed to yell at clouds. That seems like it might be a gray area.

    • A basic marketing principle is that marketing to old people as "old people" usually doesn't work. Old people don't like to think of themselves as "old people".

      Old people use social media to keep in touch with kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends of all ages.

      • Ahh yes. AARP is a miserable failure as an organization due to that. Dude, itâ(TM)s AARP. Theyâ(TM)re huge. Thatâ(TM)s how they market. It works. I literally know people who say âoefew more years Iâ(TM)ll be old enough to get AARP.â

      • I suspect AARP has some idea about how to market to old people.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by swell ( 195815 )

      I did it- I signed up. (Forgive me, I used your credentials.) Easy peazy; they asked for a name, birthdate, nickname, email, etc, and I was IN! Not too much spyware or cookies yet.

      I looked at a bunch of Groups (there are 27: one for techies, one for Apple users, gardeners, book readers, photographers, yadda). The groups have from ~30 to 280 members. Perhaps 3,000 members total? Oldest post I saw was from 2019. A slow start, it seems, compared to FB. Lots of well-meaning people there introducing themselves.

  • I tear up those AARP mailings, which started arriving not to long after I turned 50 (some years ago), with some venom. Not that I have anything against the organization per se; but I'm not 65 yet dammit! Quit trying to make me even older than I actually am!

    Yes I'm being somewhat silly, but... I expect there is a lot of resistance among "younger" older people against being associated with AARP.

    • I tear up those AARP mailings, which started arriving not to long after I turned 50 (some years ago), with some venom. Not that I have anything against the organization per se; but I'm not 65 yet dammit! Quit trying to make me even older than I actually am!

      Yes I'm being somewhat silly, but... I expect there is a lot of resistance among "younger" older people against being associated with AARP.

      My wife started getting them at an even younger age, she would like to help protesting AARP mailings.

      • she would like to help protesting AARP mailings.

        The problems with AARP go far beyond the mailings.

        They are a powerful special interest group that pressures legislators to spend ever more on entitlements for the elderly.

        Everyone deserves a comfortable retirement, but putting this country deeper and deeper into debt, while young families pay higher taxes and have less and less to spend on raising and educating their children is not good for our country.

        • she would like to help protesting AARP mailings.

          The problems with AARP go far beyond the mailings.

          They are a powerful special interest group that pressures legislators to spend ever more on entitlements for the elderly.

          Everyone deserves a comfortable retirement, but putting this country deeper and deeper into debt, while young families pay higher taxes and have less and less to spend on raising and educating their children is not good for our country.

          One of the best things is after those fucking boomers die is that all problems will go away.

          I wonder - instead of retirement, we could save a lot of money ane eliminate most problems if at 65, we just put people in a nitrogen chamber for their 65th birthday. Well gramps, you've fucked people over enough now, Happy birthday, now let's watch you die.

          • One of the best things is after those fucking boomers die is that all problems will go away.

            There's already aging gen-Xers and millennials waiting in the wings to take their place at the helm.

            I’m reminded of this every time I hear some idiotic thing said by Ron DeSantis. The dude is in my generation. We had MTV, Captain Planet, the Nintendo Game Boy. Was he locked in a basement during his youth?

            • One of the best things is after those fucking boomers die is that all problems will go away.

              There's already aging gen-Xers and millennials waiting in the wings to take their place at the helm.

              I’m reminded of this every time I hear some idiotic thing said by Ron DeSantis. The dude is in my generation. We had MTV, Captain Planet, the Nintendo Game Boy. Was he locked in a basement during his youth?

              Oh you bet! One of the most amusing and disturbing things about our Gen-Xers, and millennials is that they are locked into the culture of victimhood, and many cannot escape it.

              Now a large part of that is our fault in a matter of speaking. Many of us attempted to seal them off from any adversity, protect them from life, as it were. The schools were really big on the concept of self esteem, which sad to say, ended up instilling self esteem bordering on narcissism, and worse of all with no actual developmen

          • One of the few joys of being old (and there are few) is knowing that some day the young people of today will become old like us, and have to deal with the next generation of youngsters. Just as we remember how we thought of old folks, and now they have their revenge on us.

            It is true that killing off all the non-productive people is in the short term good for the economy, but there are a lot of younger non-productive people as well. Some cultures have tried, that, but it rarely ends well.

            Now get off

            • One of the few joys of being old (and there are few) is knowing that some day the young people of today will become old like us, and have to deal with the next generation of youngsters. Just as we remember how we thought of old folks, and now they have their revenge on us.

              It is true that killing off all the non-productive people is in the short term good for the economy, but there are a lot of younger non-productive people as well. Some cultures have tried, that, but it rarely ends well. Now get off my lawn.

              Oh yeah, I wrote that with maximum sarcasm.

              On a more serious level, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite the popular narrative, we Boomers did not have a gold path to wealth and prosperity. No one ever does.

              What is distressing is that modern young'uns seem to be on a strange path of avoiding maturity. And without a lot of thought going into that delay of adulting, as they say.

              In today's society, women have been taught to not seek settling down and bearing children until they

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Baleet ( 4705757 )
            You realize you are wishing your fellow humans dead? Pretty shitty.

            • You realize you are wishing your fellow humans dead? Pretty shitty.

              Whoosh! I'm merely trying to illustrate with shock tactics that millennials and Gen-Xers, while believing deeply that just about all problems are caused by us boomers, they could kill every one of us, and not one problem would be solved. In fact, a new one would rapidly emerge.

              They would have to find some other group to assign as the cause of their designated victimhood.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by PJ6 ( 1151747 )

          The problems with AARP go far beyond the mailings.

          They are a powerful special interest group that pressures legislators to spend ever more on entitlements for the elderly.

          Everyone deserves a comfortable retirement, but putting this country deeper and deeper into debt, while young families pay higher taxes and have less and less to spend on raising and educating their children is not good for our country.

          The debt problem comes from our astronomical military spending, and corporate tax avoidance. Not entitlements.

          • The debt problem comes from our astronomical military spending, and corporate tax avoidance. Not entitlements.

            Military spending is 3% of GDP. Entitlements are 18%.

            • Never counter a good ole rant with facts! That just riles them up even more.
               

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by PJ6 ( 1151747 )

              The debt problem comes from our astronomical military spending, and corporate tax avoidance. Not entitlements.

              Military spending is 3% of GDP. Entitlements are 18%.

              Entitlements are supposed to be a good percentage of GDP because they're population-based. It's a circle, the money comes back to the people that pay into it, at least in theory. Yes it can be broken, especially medical costs with the drug companies etc.

              But military spending on the other hand - nothing comes back. Yes we need to have some, but it's mostly waste.

              3% GDP is a godawful lot (50%) for discretionary spending. It's seven times bigger than that of the infrastructure bill conservatives are wringi

              • It's a circle, the money comes back to the people that pay into it

                No, that is not how it works. Current retirees are receiving far more than they paid in. Future generations will receive less.

                at least in theory.

                In theory, it is supposed to be fair. In reality, the system is unfair and corrupted by organizations like the AARP.

                Disclaimer: I am a boomer. I will get way more than my fair share.

                • Re: (Score:2)

                  by PJ6 ( 1151747 )
                  Well if you look at how the elderly are treated in other developed countries compared to here, it's a little sad.

                  Are we spending too much? Not so sure. Yes fix it if it's inefficient, but I just can't begrudge taking care of the elderly. I want my taxes to go there.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by gtall ( 79522 )

      So did I. I stopped them by taking their stamped, self-addressed envelopes and some piece of tat they had sent and wrote in big magic marker letters: STOP SENDING ME YOUR STUFF (I may have used the word CRAP). That did it, only took about 3-4 mailings if memory serves correct and I've never heard a peep out of them since.

    • I tear up those AARP mailings, which started arriving not to long after I turned 50 (some years ago), with some venom. Not that I have anything against the organization per se; but I'm not 65 yet dammit! Quit trying to make me even older than I actually am!

      Yes I'm being somewhat silly, but... I expect there is a lot of resistance among "younger" older people against being associated with AARP.

      I met my wife Sue in the summer of 1985 when I was 22 and she was 41. I became an AARP member in 1994 when she turned 50 and I was 31 -- spouses are automatically eligible. Sue died in Jan 2006 and I emailed AARP at the next renewal to ask if I was still eligible even though I was only 42 at that time and they said yes as surviving spouses are eligible. Not sure, but I may have been the youngest person to join AARP.

      Remember Sue... [tumblr.com]

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by PJ6 ( 1151747 )

        I tear up those AARP mailings, which started arriving not to long after I turned 50 (some years ago), with some venom. Not that I have anything against the organization per se; but I'm not 65 yet dammit! Quit trying to make me even older than I actually am!

        Yes I'm being somewhat silly, but... I expect there is a lot of resistance among "younger" older people against being associated with AARP.

        I met my wife Sue in the summer of 1985 when I was 22 and she was 41. I became an AARP member in 1994 when she turned 50 and I was 31 -- spouses are automatically eligible. Sue died in Jan 2006 and I emailed AARP at the next renewal to ask if I was still eligible even though I was only 42 at that time and they said yes as surviving spouses are eligible. Not sure, but I may have been the youngest person to join AARP.

        Remember Sue... [tumblr.com]

        I remember a certain elderly senator(?) married a 19 year old a while back. Can't remember who. She probably has you beat.

    • I tear up those AARP mailings, which started arriving not to long after I turned 50 (some years ago), with some venom. Not that I have anything against the organization per se; but I'm not 65 yet dammit! Quit trying to make me even older than I actually am!

      Yes I'm being somewhat silly, but... I expect there is a lot of resistance among "younger" older people against being associated with AARP.

      Simple solution - file a USPS Form 1500 - ad the sender gets a stop mailing porn notice. Since you get to decide what is porn, you could stop a lot of mailings that way. From the web:

      According to U.S.C. Title 39 - Postal Service section 3008. Prohibition of pandering advertisements, you can fill out Form 1500 to stop delivery of any material that you find offensive. All you have to do is fill out a USPS Form 1500 and attach the opened mail piece to it and turn it in to the Post Office. The USPS will issue an order that no more mailings be sent to you by that mailer.

      Form 1500 states that the mailing contains pornographic material that you find offensive. (The law says the determination of what is offensive or pornographic is at the sole discretion of the recipient). The two-sided form is available at any Post Office, and photo copies of it are acceptable. It is easy to fill out and takes only a minute or two. The USPS will send you a letter with a case number, stating when the cease and desist order was issued to the mailer. If you receive mailings after a grace period you can report them to the enforcement office - instructions provided in the letter.

      Contact Private Citizen at 800-CUT-JUNK. They have a very successful strategy for getting off junk mailing lists, using Form 1500. If you run into resistance from a postmaster when submitting Form 1500, Private Citizen can do a little arm-twisting, representing you as your attorney.

      • I'm not sure I would do that. You have to sign the form stating "The attached mailpiece, from the mailer identified below, offers for sale matter that I believe to be erotically arousing or sexually provocative and therefore is a pandering advertisement."

        If you are telling the US Post Office you consider an AARP magazine for seniors as "erotically arousing or sexually provocative" you might get put on a different list than you expect.

        • I'm not sure I would do that. You have to sign the form stating "The attached mailpiece, from the mailer identified below, offers for sale matter that I believe to be erotically arousing or sexually provocative and therefore is a pandering advertisement."

          If you are telling the US Post Office you consider an AARP magazine for seniors as "erotically arousing or sexually provocative" you might get put on a different list than you expect.

          If you report enough they'll think you're into old people who use credit cards while donating to causes while wearing (insert various catalogs) clothes and other items porn.

    • Well, you shouldn't. If you go to Denny's like twice a year the membership pays for itself, and its hotel discounts are second only to the AAA.

    • I started getting those in my mid-thirties. It didn't really bother me until I passed forty. Then each one is like a gut-punch reminder of just how close 65 actually is.

  • No mention in the post about any assurances or measures AARP has taken to safeguard privacy. The lode of information to be gathered from the over-50 set (where all the money is) will be quite valuable to AARP.
    • Read the privacy policy. It's pretty much boiler plate to all others out there. Expect the same level of privacy as another other "social" site.
  • Datamining disguised as social media is all they really are, the comments and memes people post just makes it easier to target users with personalized advertising
  • A marketeers dream - a targeted audience of a specific age group.
  • in your area.

  • Next they’ll be releasing a VR headset so the old folks can play virtual golf, shuffleboard, and bingo. Who says you can’t compete with Facebook?

  • This is literally just WordPress with BuddyBoss installed and slightly configured. On the App front, BuddyBoss actually does have an app, so that wont be an issue.

    The issue will probably be scaling it...

  • Do you believe that? Take a look at AARP.org - how many cookies do you get; how many spyware scripts? This social media push is just another scam to harvest more data for their advertisers. It will quickly pay for itself.

    AARP is all about money. Look in those magazines peppered with ads from some very sleazy sources pushing questionable products to feeble minds. Discounts? Of course you can get discounts on the most overpriced products and services in America. They often have articles about how to avoid scams and hacks, but somehow they never mention the spyware on their own site.

    AARP does lobby Washington and it is possible that Social Security would have ended without their efforts. If their lobbying budget equaled their marketing effort seniors would probably be doing much better. I would check their financial statement before joining -- where does the money go?

  • How do I sign up right now?
    I've wanted an AARP account since I was 20 years old. Free coffee at McD's!
    Also, my AARP membership card would just be a funny conversation piece to pull out of my wallet.

    So yea, can I get an account without being an AARP member? Do I get a Founders Edition widget to showcase on my profile?!

    • I've wanted an AARP account since I was 20 years old. Free coffee at McD's!

      And if you sit long enough in a McD's to actually enjoy the flavor of the coffee they could have you removed for loitering!

      Do I get a Founders Edition widget to showcase on my profile?!

      Wait for the AARP NFT to come out with a new AARP-sponsored cryptocurrency called Slo-Coin

  • Someone will confuse this with SCP Foundation. I guarantee it.

  • Real debate will occur ?
    No blocking for opposing feminazis ?

    I'll believe it when I post it.

  • Younger people have moved on to other platforms like TikTok and Snap.

  • is there a Senior Planet Community app for my flipphone ?
  • Expect this to not take off and get rebranded. Even AARP doesn't use senior in their name.

  • ...nice to see AARP finally making an effort to offer something other than daily mail and a magazine.

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