Pinterest and Instagram are perfect for photos of scenery and if anything, that is what I would use them for. I'm sure no one would be disappointed that there won't be many selfies posted by me.
As far as I can see it, Instagram is meant for photo sharing. It's a visual discovery tool but because you can like, share, and follow, it's a social network.
On the list of most popular social media sites, Instagram rates 7th after Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+ and Tumbler. That makes it a major player, and that means I should give it another try.
But the next questions that come to mind are: am I too old to start using Instagram? Is it something more suitable for tweens and teens? Should mum stay well away from it?
On nzgirl.co.nz, which is a really nice website but as the name already points out it targets females between 15 and 30, I found a post by Meagan Kerr titled 10 NZ Instagrammers you should follow.
There's a selection of profiles listed with cupcakes, cute photos of griffon dogs, healthy eating inspirations, plus size fashion, body positivity, and more of the same type of lifestyle stuff. The top 10 also has Tauranga girl Kristina Webb, which gives it a nice local touch.
Kristina is a former Bethlehem College student who draws the most amazing pictures. She describes herself as just a Kiwi teenager with a passion for drawing and a dream to inspire. She has nearly 1.5 million followers on her Instagram page @colour-me-creative and makes clever use of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr as well.
The only other Instagrammer recommended by Meagan that stood out for me is @wildboy-co-nz. This page has been set up by Brando Yelavich, a 20-year-old Aucklander who is currently walking, swimming, kayaking, running and rafting around the coastline of New Zealand to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.
He shares his adventures via Instagram, Facebook and his website www.wildboy.co.nz where you can donate and track his travels via GPS.
But you've guessed it right, I am about twice the age of the people behind these Instagram profiles. That is why I'm seriously asking myself if this photo sharing stuff is actually age appropriate for me.
I read a story on pcworld.com the other day which talked about baby boomers ruining Twitter and Facebook. I don't fit the baby boomers age bracket but I am 41 next week.
In the eyes of a teenager I am a dinosaur. Many young ones don't want their mums, dads and grandparents on "their" social media sites.
It's easy to spot the differences in attitude towards social sharing that seem to come with differences in age, and each generation uses social technologies in different ways.
That makes me wonder, has anyone thought of setting up a social media platform for people who are a little older than 30-something? A quick Google search shows me that someone has. It took me to fabulously40.com, a site founded by American entrepreneur and author Yana Berlin.
The About Us page explains that Fabulously40 was created for every woman 40 and beyond, who is ready to celebrate this exciting stage of her life. A quick look showed me that it's a network just for ladies with blogs about family, career, lifestyle and beauty. It's not really what I'm looking for.
When searching Google some more, all else that comes up are dating websites. Those are definitely not what I am after. Maybe some entrepreneur could set up something that appeals to people my age? Perhaps I should look into doing it myself?
For the time being, it's back to Facebook for me. I feel middle of the range there and that's where I am comfortable, for now. But as an avid internet, social media, and phone app user aged 40+, I am ready for the next big thing.
Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist - www.sweetorange.co.nz
