Get Back to Personal Communications

There is no denying that Facebook, Twitter, and similar social media sites are widening the gap between younger generations and the norms and traditions of prior generations. What may be surprising though, is that this gap may be interfering with the legacy of younger generations.

Older generations don’t always like when traditional methods of communication are replaced with online methods. For example, many party invitations go out on facebook now, and older generations could be left upset or forgotten if you do not use a traditional snail mail invitation.

It is true that those age 50 and up are the fastest growing group of internet users, it is not because they want to be using Facebook or LinkedIn to find new friends, it is because they feel they have to use the sites to keep in touch with grandchildren. Simply put, social media is taking the place of tangible relationships. Forbes suggests several ways that you can bridge the gap that these sites have created between younger and older generations:

• Actually pick up the phone and call grandparents to show how you care about real relationships as opposed to the impersonal facebook communication
• Send pictures, invitations, cards through  the mail. Get some forever stamps and include a handwritten note.
• Organize a family event and then say that you will drive them to the event.
• When you’re with your grandparents, turn off your phone or put it aside to give them your undivided attention. It is likely a small price to pay for all they have done for you.

By taking advantage of these suggestions, you can hopefully avoid upsetting them and being cut out of an inheritance, or receiving a reduced inheritance. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, you will cultivate a relationship with your elders while they are still around for you to appreciate.

See Robert Laura, Could Facebook and Twitter Cost You Your Inheritance?, Forbes, Mar. 5, 2012.