While teens use social networking sites to plan parties and check in with friends, older networkers want to do more than set up a profile and leave a comment on a wall. They want to find new friends who share similar interests.

'We're finding out that users are more interested in, `How can I talk to people who are going through the same things I am or are interested in the same topics I am,' than just posting some general comment,'' says Clarke of AARP. ``I think it's a natural progression. Boomers and seniors first joined to see what their kids and grandkids were doing online, but now they want to communicate with old friends and find other like-minded people.''

To wit: AARP's social networking channel just had a weight loss challenge that proved popular. A group of Eons.com friends went on a cruise to Alaska together. Steve Greenbaum, who runs genkvetch.com, says the reviews and humor section have proven to be the most popular among members.

''What makes us different'' from the bigger and better-known social networking sites, Greenbaum adds, ``is that we have interesting content. We want to be more relevant than just having an instant update.''

While some senior networking sites don't offer content, those that do display theirs prominently. SeniorEnquirer.com, launched in May for the 60-plus crowd, works like a digital newspaper. Under the health setting recently, a member could click on ''Aging'' and find articles on dementia, cognitive functions and other age-related topics.

''Facebook can get boring pretty quickly,'' says George Ruch, the 69-year-old CEO and publisher of seniorenquirer.com. ``But on our site you can get world news, health news. You can even put in your ZIP code and get your local news and weather.''

Those features, he adds, are in addition to the traditional social networking capability to send, receive and post comments and photos.

The habits of the older social networkers don't surprise AARP's Clarke. ''This audience consumes a lot of news,'' she adds. ``They're interested in many subjects and now they're encouraged by the media outlets to actually follow stories on Twitter and Facebook.''

Social networking also has had a surprising upside for older users who may live alone and not get out as much: an easy way to make friends and connections at a time when old connections are fading -- perhaps a spouse has died or neighbors have moved away.

Even on tbd.com, whose members skew younger, Wolaner says the site has ''many members who are homebound and have found friendship on tbd. We have also seen the community support members facing health issues, loss of family members'' and other midlife milestones.

In the end, social networking may turn out to be the virtual world's answer to dominoes and bridge games. ''It's helping them feel more connected,'' Clarke adds. ``And that can only help.''

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