More and more Japanese people in their 60s and 70s were using social media during the COVID-19 pandemic to communicate with friends and family.

That’s according to Japanese government data from 2022.

The survey actually took place at the end of August 2021 when around 44,000 people were asked about their use of things like social media and the internet.

According to The Yomiuri Shimbun, 71.7% of people in their 60s reported using social media, including apps like Facebook, Twitter and Line.

That’s an increase of more than 10% on the previous year.

Among people in their 70s the number was 60.7%, up from 47.5% in 2020.

Most people, across all age groups, said that their reason for using social media was to communicate with someone they know.

About 63% said they use these apps to look for information.

During 2020 and 2021, when meeting people was often very difficult, social media was a useful way to stay in touch with friends and family.

Around 84% of people in their 60s also reported using the internet, along with 59% in their 70s and almost 28% of those aged over 80.

A 2020 study from South Korea also looked at internet use during the pandemic.

It found that adults over the age of 65 who were active online, including on social media, felt mentally and physically healthier than those who were less active.