Where do French seniors really get their information online, and what concrete risks do they unknowingly take? This question deserves to be asked with recent data because the digital landscape for those over 60 has changed faster than the preventive advice circulating. The internet and seniors are no longer a matter of adoption or rejection: the majority of retirees connect daily.
The real issue lies in the quality of the information consumed and the nature of the threats targeting this audience.
Seniors and online information sources: Facebook ahead of traditional media
Analyses published in 2025-2026 document a shift that classic cybersecurity guides rarely address. For a significant portion of those over 60, Facebook has become a primary source of information, surpassing news sites or news portals. WhatsApp is also gaining traction in daily use, serving both as a family messaging app and a channel for sharing articles.
This shift towards social networks poses a specific problem: the hierarchy of information is absent. A sourced article from Le Monde and an unverified viral post appear in the same feed, with the same formatting. Seniors who primarily inform themselves via Facebook are therefore exposed to misinformation and emotional content designed to generate clicks.
Resources like seniorcybernet.org offer workshops and practical sheets focused on information verification, a more useful angle than simply reminding users to change their passwords.
Scams targeting seniors in France: common profiles and mechanisms
Scammers do not choose seniors by chance. Those over 60 remain the preferred target of online fraudsters, with mechanisms exploiting both trust and a lack of understanding of web codes.
| Type of scam | Main channel | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Email, SMS | Fake message from an administration (Ameli, taxes) requesting identifiers or bank details |
| Fake relative scam | WhatsApp, SMS | The scammer pretends to be a child or grandchild in urgent financial trouble |
| Financial scam | Social networks, phone | Offers of fictitious investments riding on economic news |
| Fake technical support | Web pop-up, phone | Alert window mimicking a system message, prompting a call to a premium-rate number |
Financial scams have seen a marked increase, with scammers increasingly relying on social networks to spread their fraudulent offers. Current events serve as a lever: each economic crisis or reform generates a wave of fake investments tailored to the context.
Fake relative scam: a formidable emotional trap
This type of fraud deserves special attention. Scammers can impersonate your children or grandchildren via a simple SMS or WhatsApp message. The classic scenario: “Mom, I lost my phone, send me money to this new number.” The emotional pressure and manufactured urgency short-circuit verification reflexes.
The only reliable remedy: always call the usual number of the concerned relative before taking any action. No complex password protects against social engineering.
Digital illiteracy among those aged 75 and over: a persistent divide
The overall increase in internet usage among seniors masks a more contrasting reality. Digital illiteracy affects a large number of those over 75, creating a significant gap with the 60-74 age group, which is much more connected. This divide is not just a matter of equipment: it concerns the ability to navigate, distinguish a reliable site from a fraudulent one, and complete online administrative procedures.
- Those aged 60-74 use the internet similarly to younger age groups for messaging, information searching, and administrative tasks
- Those aged 75 and over remain significantly less connected, often relying on assistance from others for online tasks
- The Digital Advisors France Services program, deployed by the ANCT, offers free and local support in thousands of locations across the country
The Digital Advisors program is not limited to showing how to send an email. The digital inclusion sheets published by the ANCT cover online security, password management, and recognizing fraud attempts, skills directly related to protecting seniors on the web.
Verifying online information: three concrete reflexes for seniors
Rather than listing dozens of cybersecurity tips, three checks are sufficient to filter out the majority of dubious content and scam attempts.
The first reflex concerns the sender. An email or SMS requesting urgent action (clicking, paying, transmitting a code) should be verified by contacting the organization through its official number, never via the link contained in the message. No French administration requests a password by email.
The second concerns the source of information shared on Facebook or WhatsApp. Before relaying it, check if a recognized media outlet (national or local press) is covering the same information. If no results appear on a search engine, the content is likely false or distorted.
The third reflex applies to financial offers. Any investment promising high returns without risk, disseminated via social networks or by phone, is fraudulent in the vast majority of cases. The register of financial agents (Regafi) and the AMF blacklist allow for verifying the legitimacy of a contact.
The digital security of seniors relies less on technicality than on these verification habits. Support from Digital Advisors or community workshops remains the most effective lever to embed these reflexes over time, especially among those over 75 who are still distanced from digital technology.