title: Cognitive Benefits of Online Social Networking for Healthy Older Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research suggests that older adults who remain socially active and cognitively engaged have better cognitive function than those who are isolated and disengaged. This study examined the efficacy of learning and using an online social networking website, Facebook.com, as an intervention to maintain or enhance cognitive function in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one older adults were assigned to learn and use Facebook (n = 14) or an online diary website (active control, n = 13) for 8 weeks or placed on a waitlist (n = 14). Outcome measures included neuropsychological tests of executive functions, memory, and processing speed and self-report questionnaires about social engagement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Facebook group showed a significant increase in a composite measure of updating, an executive function factor associated with complex working memory tasks, compared to no significant change in the control groups. Other measures of cognitive function and social support showed no differential improvement in the Facebook group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Learning and using an online social networking site may provide specific benefits for complex working memory in a group of healthy older adults. This may reflect the particular cognitive demands associated with online social networking and/or the benefits of social engagement more generally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson.
authors.forename: Janelle W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Myhre
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson.
authors.forename: Matthias R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson.
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Glisky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D000066492:Cognitive Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003200:Computer User Training; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012016:Reference Values; D012934:Social Isolation; D060756:Social Networking; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Executive function; Social interaction; Social media; Technology; Training; Working memory