The technology and social media world has grown a lot over the last decade, and it hasn't just impacted Millennials. During the last five years or so, we've seen more and more of the older-age demographic joining social media networks, and now, Generation X has their own social media network, and I'm not talking about Facebook.
A social media/dating network called Stitch is making waves in the tech industry, creating a channel specifically for individuals 50 and over.
Stitch was created by the founders of Tapestry-a social network that helps seniors stay connected with their families through social media curation-and allows senior citizens to connect with other seniors, serving as a network for companionship.
Not quite the Tinder for senior citizens, Stitch markets itself as a social network for senior citizens that was created for more than just dating and romance, but also friendship, travel, and other activities. In a recent infographic, the company released data from its users showing that only 37% of women and 48% of men signed up for the network to seek romance. Additionally, only 27% of users say they're interested in getting married again, so it seems that Stitch's marketing of the network as more of a companion channel makes sense.
Initially created in 2010 and housed in Australia, Stitch is a free service and currently has more than 20,000 active users and more than 50 Stitch communities. There is a paid version of the network-$60 for the year-which gives users premium features, like identity verification, boosted profile positions, more control over search distance, member-to-member phone calls, and the browsing of more than 10 profiles per day, compared to only three on the free version.
One great feature of the service is the fact that all customer service is done over the phone, where seniors are able to talk to an actual customer service representative on the other end, making it extremely user-friendly for this type of older demographic.
How else does Stitch differ from some of the other dating networks on the market?
For starters, you must take your profile picture directly through the app, so there's no misleading others by using older photos, and users can't message others through the platform-they can only make a phone call, allowing for more serious, intimate dialogue.
So, where is Stitch headed? Well, it just finished a $1 million funding round in August and has a Series A planned for early 2016. And given that technology and social media continues to evolve and become more user-friendly for all age types, I'd expect Stitch to continue its growth and success.
Image via Shutterstock