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InContact by Sanne Kreikamp, Communication

These days the internet plays a big role in the lives of the Dutch population. Especially young people experience the benefits of social networks. Because of networks like Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Tinder people come in contact with each other. They get to know new people and create relationships they have never had.

These benefits have to be available for the elderly too. In my surrounding I see more and more old people with laptops, computers and Ipads. Research shows that eight out of ten people between 65 and 75 use the internet sometimes. That is more than twice as much as in 2005. It is expected to increase even more. Also the use of Internet is more diverse.  In 2005 internet was mostly used for online banking, to check the email and to read the newspaper. Nowadays this target group also uses social media and other applications. Only three out of ten people between 65 and 75 use social media. They do not really utilize the benefits of social media (Akkermans, 2013).

Why not a social network especially for older people? In this way they can also take advantage of the technical developments and come in contact with people of their age.

In Contact is a social network for the elderly. The goal of In Contact is to bring old people together by matching their hobbies and interests. By this the elderly comes out of there isolation and is less lonely.