Web 2.0 for senior citizens is still in its infancy in Switzerland

 
While participatory and writing platforms for senior citizens are already widely used in the USA, there are hardly any such offerings in Switzerland. Yet such Web 2.0 facilities in this country would not only be of interest to senior citizens but also to investors and advertisers. This is the conclusion of an article in the NZZ am Sonntag. Platforms originating from the USA such as Eons, Rezoom, Multiply, Boomj and Teebeedee pursue similar concepts to Myspace or Facebook, only for older people. They are financed by venture capitalists; for example, the former investor of Myspace, Vantagepoint Ventures, has invested over ten million dollars in Multiply, while Shasta Ventures has invested five million dollars in Teebeedee, according to the article.
When it comes to the age of the target group, there are obviously different ideas about where it is worthwhile for operators and investors; for example, Eons is targeting the over 50s, while Boomj and Teebeedee are aiming at baby boomers aged between 40 and 60. In the long term, however, the target groups will extend far beyond the age of 60 as the internet-savvy generations gradually reach retirement age.
Although there are senior portals in Switzerland such as Senioren.ch, Seniorentreff.ch and Fifty-plus.ch, these have not yet become a hit because they often mix information with advertising and PR, according to the NZZ am Sonntag. The senior citizen is seen primarily as a consumer and less as a contributor. Only Seniorweb.ch sees visitors as active participants. There is still a great deal of untapped potential here.