Perhaps, for elderly individuals who lack literacy skills, mobile phones serve merely as tools for communication. However, with the widespread adoption of smartphones and increased internet accessibility, those who can read now have additional means of entertainment at their disposal. In reality, these devices have superseded television sets and radio receivers. Short video applications and various games readily bridge the void left by monotony.
"He was an older gentleman who had come to the clinic for a visit. As he waited to see the physician, he became absorbed in using his mobile device. Consequently, when the nurse summoned him, he did not respond," shared a medical practitioner about their encounter.
Mr. Henry Adetifa, a former civil servant, often finds himself restless after his daily activities and struggles with insomnia at night. To pass the time, he browses through various WhatsApp group discussions. Sometimes, he also engages in mobile gaming and listens to music.
Undoubtedly, if one were to conduct a survey among elderly people who can read, many would be found to use the internet for various purposes such as pursuing hobbies, engaging in social activities, and seeking information.
Professor Bade Omololu, an orthopedic surgeon, mentioned that in previous times, older individuals would not be observed constantly using their phones or being hooked on them. This was primarily because they usually had their children, grandchildren, and other relatives nearby to interact with.
Related Spotting Fake Jewelry in 2025: Top 10 Wealthiest African Football Players Email Etiquette You Should KnowI notice several older individuals at this medical facility; when they indicate it's time to bring in their relative, he has already started watching a movie," he explained. "He seems lost in his own world. As such, they resort to using social media instead. We all understand how detrimental these platforms can be nowadays—it affects everyone negatively.
Prof. Omololu declared that the migration of many people had further worsened the plight of many elderly people in Nigeria.
As events unfold today, the sole means of seeing your grandchildren is via WhatsApp and video calls. Previously unseen illnesses are now surfacing among seniors. This explains why older men are increasingly marrying or having children with their domestic staff due to loneliness at home. Consequently, we will likely face greater issues concerning senior citizens in the near future. The situation appears to be deteriorating.
Mrs. Modupe Awosemusi, a social worker and the head of the Oyo State Mediation Center at the Ministry of Justice, stated that many seniors experience numerous issues due to loneliness, such as mental health conditions including schizophrenia, insomnia, and delusions.
They are experiencing hallucinations due to isolation, which has adversely impacted their mental well-being. As they grow older, they tend to become less capable and productive. Eventually, this leads to increased reliance on others.
When you find yourself without anyone to confide in, you might reflect on your thoughts during these times. To avoid experiencing a mental health crisis, many, particularly the well-educated, turn to social media as an alternative.
They too grow weary of social media; at those times, you might notice some of them have fallen asleep but are still clutching their phones. Others may have accidentally let go, dropping their devices instead. Sadly, much of the content shared online tends to be negative. This can impact their mental well-being as it contradicts what they were brought up to believe about society, which differs significantly from what they encounter constantly on these platforms.
Mrs Awosemusi said in many developed countries, elderly persons are always very active; they have recreation, and even if they stay in homes, they are engaged.
I belong to the belief that after retirement, society should continue to involve individuals. This is why many former civil servants age quickly—they become disengaged. Within just twelve months, this becomes evident; some even fall ill due to lack of activity.
Worldwide, elderly individuals encounter numerous opportunities alongside several challenges due to the rapid integration of digital technology into their lives. This progression also brings about issues such as digital addiction, characterized by an uncontrollable and overly frequent use of gadgets.
Certainly, digital addiction, marked by an uncontrollable and overzealous use of electronic gadgets, does not solely afflict younger demographics. The loneliness experienced by older individuals coupled with the convenience and availability of these digital interfaces has heightened their susceptibility to such addictive behaviors.
Digital addiction is characterised not solely by the quantity of screen time but by the degree to which device use interferes with daily activities, responsibilities, and overall well-being. Intense internet use, the need for more time online, the inability to control it, the anger and the tension can be some of its symptoms.
The swift incorporation of digital technologies into the daily routines of elderly individuals presents numerous advantages as well as difficulties. These accessible platforms, featuring captivating material and user-friendly interfaces, frequently result in extended periods spent in front of screens and can foster addiction-like behaviors.
New research highlights an increasing tendency towards digital addiction among people above 60 years old. A particular study looked into the usage of social media within six participating retirees from the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Ibadan. The findings suggest that these elderly individuals' inclination toward using social media stems from various aspects including their social life, personal interests, and mental processes.
In the report by Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola, documented in the journal Activities, Adaptation & Ageing, all the older adults acknowledged having an exciting experience using social media to maintain social connectedness and barriers associated with privacy, poor access to the internet, illiteracy, and frustration.
Beyond enhancing social connections and reducing feelings of isolation by maintaining contact with loved ones, social media served as an effective tool for engagement and dialogue, positively impacting overall wellbeing.
On a global scale, the experiences of older individuals concerning social connection and alleviating feelings of loneliness might not vary significantly. To illustrate, within the communities of Southwest China, it has been observed that elderly inhabitants could develop an addiction to using their mobile devices due to various intricate personal and environmental influences.
The internet has emerged as the main avenue for individuals to explore their personal hobbies and interests. Factors like having household Wi-Fi increase the likelihood of extended periods spent indoors online. Additionally, an overwhelming amount of digital content encourages continuous browsing and watching habits. Moreover, frequent daily usage of the internet contributes to increased intolerance outside of the virtual world, suggests research featured in BMC Public Health.
The issue of digital addiction isn't exclusive to younger individuals; it also affects older populations with increasing frequency. A study by AddictionResource.net involving 2,000 participants aged between 59 and 77 in Wales revealed rising instances of such dependency among those over 60. This survey encompassed various aspects of digital behavior across different age groups within this demographic.
The main conclusions revealed that half of the respondents admitted to using their smartphones for over three hours each day, with one-fifth surpassing five hours. Additionally, two-fifths of the participants felt anxious or uneasy when distanced from their electronic gadgets, suggesting considerable emotional dependence.
Thirty percent of participants frequently utilized digital gadgets at mealtimes, suggesting ingrained use patterns. Additionally, fifty percent confessed to glancing at their smartphones immediately after waking up every morning. The challenge in altering these tech habits is evident from two statistics: thirty percent attempted but failed to reduce their screen exposure, whereas fifty percent did not make any attempts to do so.
Currently, over half of the global population utilizes the internet, showing consistent annual growth in both high-income regions and an increasing number of low- and middle-income nations. Notably, there has been a significant surge in smartphone usage.
Undeniably, various health worries have arisen regarding the potential damage that extensive technology usage could inflict upon the mental wellbeing of the broader population and specifically those with particular vulnerabilities due to their social or medical circumstances.
Dr. Bade Omololu, an orthopedic consultant at Bamby Hospital in Akobo, Ibadan, commented that as everyone has become increasingly attached to their smartphones, elderly individuals are doing the same out of loneliness. Previously, they would have relied on extended family for support.
He mentioned that setting up locations or facilities for leisure activities, which people can frequent, would help decrease their feelings of isolation and keep them engaged.
“By the time they go back home, they will just go and sleep. So, we need to have centres like that to help elders to cope instead of turning to phones,” he added.
Dr. Abdulmalik stated that elderly individuals are emulating younger people by getting absorbed in their smartphones, watching films and sketches, and engaging in various social media applications for gaming purposes.
However, he stated that it can cause individuals to distance themselves from real-life social connections, since they might assume they are in contact with someone they haven’t seen in a year after chatting with a group in which someone has left a comment.
Although it can have some benefits, he pointed out that excessiveness can lead to significant issues such as heightened anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and poor quality of sleep.
"So, we're missing out on the physical connection of meeting people face-to-face, engaging in conversations, listening to their voices, and socializing personally. Instead, most interactions happen solely via messaging. You might come across someone with 5,000 online acquaintances but could actually feel quite isolated in reality, without anyone noticing if they were alone and unattended for several days," he noted.
He emphasized the importance of learning how to limit screen time across all age groups since internet addiction can be an issue for seniors who turn to it as a way to combat feelings of isolation—whether due to being widowed, having spouses occupied with work, or because their adult children have moved away and started families of their own.
Dr. Jubril Abdulmalik from the Asido Foundation states, "When your device gains so much control over you that you lose command, this becomes an issue. It can adversely affect your emotional health, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, and even addiction."
Ms. Olufunmilayo Beyioku, a 65-year-old grandmother who runs a school, observed that numerous seniors were engaged with their mobile devices as a way to remain active.
She stated that frequently, by the time she gets around to checking the posts on some of the platforms available on her phone, there are so many updates that she just ends up deleting them instead.
“Also, there are occasions I see some elderly, retired personnel every day on the platform, just posting one thing or the other. At times, I just wonder, how do they have the time?” Mrs Beyioku added.
Ms. Beyioku recommended that older individuals seek ways to start working or get involved in community activities.
And upon reflection, this habit acts like a financial drain. By the time you contact Jack Robinson, they have already used up their data and spent their money. They remain unaware of it, feeling instead that they are having fun.
“And at times, they can come across sites with scary content that will even scare them or scary sites. And if they come to such sites at their age, it’s not beneficial to them. It can even affect their health and many other things in their lives.”
Mrs Moromoke Oyedokun, who serves as a school principal in Ibadan, suggested that instead of seeking comfort through online browsing, students could come together in groups to exchange previous experiences, interact with one another, engage in joint prayers, and arrange events aimed at lifting their spirits.
"And by taking this action, they will feel content with themselves. It ensures their mind remains active. Keep in mind that while they spend time browsing online, it may lead them to reflect on aspects of their past they might wish to let go," she noted.
Excessive use of electronic devices may intensify psychological issues by fostering feelings of isolation and disconnect from face-to-face social interactions.
Memory lapses and decreased focus could be consequences of digital addiction. Constant engagement with digital content can hinder your ability to concentrate and process information effectively.
To tackle the increasing problem of digital addiction amongst senior citizens, an all-encompassing strategy must be implemented. This plan ought to encompass tactics at personal, familial, social circle, and community levels.
Strategies at an individual level aim to equip seniors with the tools they need to control their digital consumption wisely. Advisors suggest capping non-work-related screen time to under two hours daily. Going beyond this threshold could elevate the likelihood of encountering signs linked to digital overuse.
The engagement and commitment of family members can significantly help in decreasing digital addiction. A method to minimize reliance on electronic devices for social interaction is by providing emotional backing and motivating them to engage in joint activities.
Support groups and communal efforts offer elderly individuals chances to exchange insights and techniques for handling their digital consumption. Meanwhile, local programs and ventures promoting non-digital engagements and face-to-face connections may aid in decreasing dependency on electronic gadgets.
It’s important to note that digital addiction is characterised not solely by the quantity of screen time but by the degree to which device use interferes with daily activities, responsibilities, and overall well-being.
It is possible to mitigate the dangers of digital addiction and promote healthier engagement with technology among seniors through increased awareness, encouragement of offline activities, and fostering an accommodating environment.
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Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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