DoSomething.org encourages Teens to Help Get their Grandparents “Wired” this Holiday Season

NEW YORK – December 5, 2011 – DoSomething.org has joined forces with Skype and Grandparents.com to ask teens to show off their technology skills this winter by helping seniors get started on Facebook, Skype™ and/or helping them sign them up for an email account. The “Grandparents Gone Wired” campaign begins December 1 and ends on December 30 with the goal of helping make it easier for seniors to keep in touch with their loved ones via the Internet.

Grandparents Gone Wired is the first campaign of DoSomething.org’s new membership model where teens can become a member to make an impact on causes they care about. Becoming a member also has benefits including winning money for school and social change projects, swag they can actually use (like movie tickets) and access to invite-only events, like the chance to meet a celebrity. The goal of DoSomething.org’s membership initiative is to build an army of doers that is 5 million strong by 2015.

According to a recent report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, social networking use among Internet users age 65 and older has grown 150%, from 13% in April 2009 to 33% in May 2011. Similarly, during this same time period use by 50-64 year-old Internet users doubled – from 25% to 51%. By getting seniors online and educated in new social networking platforms, it’s easier for them to keep in touch with their loved ones by communicating more frequently with family, reconnecting with old friends, keeping up with community developments and managing their health issues. This campaign helps to bring seniors closer to their families, as most teens share their pictures and videos over the Internet and write emails instead of sending letters by mail.

“What’s better than getting grandma set up online over the holidays?” says Nancy Lublin, CEO and Chief Old Person at DoSomething.org. “Teens are tech gurus by nature, so they should spend a few minutes during the holidays helping seniors with their computer skills, so they stay can stay in touch with their loved ones at all times.”

“We are thrilled to support this year’s Grandparents Gone Wired campaign, as there’s no more meaningful connection in one’s life than family,” said Jacqueline Botterill, head of social good at Skype. “We want to help as many grandparents, seniors, aunts and uncles and the rest of the extended family learn how easy it is to use Skype every day. This way, they can regularly see their loved ones and do things together, regardless of where they may be around the world.”

"I've spent years in the tech space, but it's my kids who help keep me ahead of the curve, personally and professionally. I imagine that's true for parents – and grandparents – everywhere,” says Jeffrey Mahl, President at Grandparents.com. “So when we heard about the Grandparents Gone Wired campaign, we wanted to be a part of it! We really hope that teens will enjoy giving their grandparents free membership in the Benefits Club."

Teens can participate by signing up at www.dosomething.org/grandparents and filling out a short checklist listing their areas of expertise. Teens can then reach out to a senior citizen – whether it is a grandparent, the grandparent of a friend or someone in their community – that they think might want to learn one of the skills they are a master at. After teaching the senior citizen of their choice, they will report back on what they did at the DoSomething microsite and be eligible to win tech prizes, such as iPads, and $500 college scholarships.

All teens who report back will also receive a promo code for a free membership to the Grandparents.com Benefits Club which they can give to their grandparents or the seniors in their life.

To learn more, visit www.dosomething.org/grandparents.

About DoSomething.org:

We love teens. They are creative, active, wired…and frustrated that our world is so messed up. DoSomething.org harnesses that awesome energy and unleashes it on causes teens care about. Almost every week, we launch a new national campaign. The call to action is always something that has a real impact and doesn’t require money, an adult, or a car. With a goal of 5 million active members by 2015, DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US for teens and social change. Join us at www.DoSomething.org.

About Skype:

Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they're apart.

Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype is a division of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free at www.skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required for all use of Skype features.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

About Grandparents.com

Grandparents.com is the premier community for the 21st century generation of active, involved grandparents, and offers one of every four Americans who is a grandparent enriching activities, expert advice, and a Benefits Club with benefits and discounts on hundreds of goods and services, including travel, entertainment, wellness, shopping and insurance.

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