Facebook class brings older adults into the 21st century

Jeanine Tobin, 75, sits in a Facebook class at Mather's - More than a Cafe on Wednesday. (Emily Hoerner/Medill)
Jeanine Tobin, 75, sits in a Facebook class at Mather's - More than a Cafe on Wednesday. (Emily Hoerner/Medill)

By Emily Hoerner

Older adults in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood are jumping into the 21st century to learn a new skill: Facebook.

With Facebook’s popularity garnering 890 million daily active users as of December 2014, according to the company’s website, the social network is arousing the curiosity of older adults.


At Mather’s – More than a Cafe, three women took the first leap in learning about the social network during a two-hour beginner session. All three class participants said keeping in touch with family was the reason they wanted to learn about the service.

“I have three children that I feel that I need to keep up with them,” said Nancie Kruszewski, a 60-year-old Facebook class participant. “And they’re not phone people anymore, so everything is Facebook or texting.”

Image at top: Jeanine Tobin, 75, sits in a Facebook class at Mather’s – More than a Cafe on Wednesday. (Emily Hoerner/Medill)