Whitehall launches social networking site for older people

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a social networking website in order to encourage debate between older people and the government.

The site was developed in conjunction with the Hansard Society. It is part of the DWP’s Generation Xperience campaign, which aims to create a dialogue with people over 60.

The DWP will regularly update and moderate the website, which will feature discussions and will eventually link to other social networking sites including Myspace, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

The website has been launched following research for the campaign, which found that three quarters of people aged between 50 and 64 have access to the internet.

Over 16 percent of people in this group were able to use Instant Messaging and social networking sites, 15 percent used internet chatrooms and 37 percent regularly used email.

Pensions Minister Mike O’Brien said that the site will help the government to take the views of older people into account and has the potential to reduce isolation and promote digital inclusion.

The pilot scheme is available at www.generationxperience.wordpress.com .