At Senior Chatters, we believe connection is everything — and now it’s even easier to stay in touch with the friends you’ve made here. Our Live Instant Messaging (IM) Chat feature lets you talk in real-time with fellow members — whether it’s a quick “hello,” a deeper conversation, or a friendly nudge to brighten someone’s day.
This page will walk you through how to use the private chat system, step-by-step. It’s simple, intuitive, and designed from the ground up just for our over-fifties community.
💡 Why Use Live Chat?
Unlike private messages or activity posts, Live Chat lets you:
- Chat instantly with other members online
- Keep multiple chats open at once (Desktop)
- Share emojis, GIFs, and even YouTube videos
- Stay connected in real time, from anywhere on the site
It’s a fantastic way to build new friendships, reconnect with old ones, or simply enjoy a laugh with people who share your passions and interests.
👤 Starting a Private Chat
Click the orange chat bubble in the lower right hand corner to open the chat panel:
- Browse the list of online members.
- Click someone’s name to open a private chat window with them.
- A small chat box will appear — just like on Facebook.
- Type your message and hit Enter or click the paper plane icon to send.
That’s it! You can keep chatting while browsing the site — your conversations follow you as you go.
✨ Features You’ll Love
We’ve added a few fun extras to help you express yourself:
- 😊 Emojis – Click the smiley face to choose from dozens of friendly emojis.
- 🎥 YouTube Sharing – Share a favorite video with one click.
- 🎉 GIFs – Say it with a little animation! Use the GIF button to search and send.
Each one is fully integrated — no need to copy and paste anything…
⚙️ Manage Your Chat Preferences
Click the ⚙️ Settings icon (top right of the chat panel) to fine-tune how chat works for you:
- ✅ Friends Only – Only allow people on your friends list to message you.
- 👻 Appear Offline – Need a break? Hide your online status
You can update these settings at any time.
🚫 Block or Report Users
If you ever feel uncomfortable:
- Click the 🚫 icon next to any member’s name in the chat panel to block them.
- This will redirect you to your settings where you can manage your block list.
We want everyone to feel safe and respected here — and we’re always here to help.
Why Use Friendship Connections?
🛑 Taking a Break? You’re in control:
- Close any chat by clicking the ❌ at the top of the chat box.
- Turn off chat entirely by enabling “Appear Offline” in your settings.
- The orange chat bubble will turn to gray, signalling your chat is offline, and you will no longer show up in the online list until you click the chat bubble again to enable it.
Messages sent to you while offline will still appear when you’re back.
🌟 Let’s Get Chatting!
This feature is all about bringing us closer together — with real, human conversations that happen in the moment.
So go ahead… Click that bubble. Start a chat and make someone’s day. You’ve got a whole community waiting to talk with you.
Lots more goodies coming to our new chat engine soon…
Warm wishes,
The Senior Chatters Team