Social networking site use, sexual orientation, and associations with mental health: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

The number of older adults using online social networking sites (SNS) to maintain social connections is rising. SNS use may contribute both negatively and positively to the mental health of older adults, and these associations may vary by sexual orientation. The purpose of this study was to explore SNS use in older adults by sexual orientation, and to examine associations between SNS use and mental health using participants from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging ( n = 21,836). We found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) participants had greater odds of using SNS than heterosexual participants. Additionally, LGB participants who used SNS to stay in touch with friends reported fewer depressive symptoms than their heterosexual peers, and LGB participants who used SNS to make new friends reported more loneliness than heterosexual participants who used SNS for the same reason. This study adds to the growing literature on how older adults, and LGB older adults in particular, use SNS. • LGB older adults had greater odds of using SNS than heterosexual older adults. • Associations between mental health and SNS use varied by sexual orientation. • The reason for using SNS (e.g., to make new friends) may impact mental health.