Social media use of older adults: a mini-review

Leist, Anja K.

doi:10.1159/000346818

Cited by 378Technology Use by Older AdultsAging and Gerontology ResearchAging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

Social media use of older adults: a mini-review

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Leist, Anja K.·2013·Gerontology

DOI 10.1159/000346818

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maintaining social relationships has been defined as a core element of aging well. With a considerable amount of older adults living alone, social media provides the possibility to engage in meaningful social contact, e.g. by joining online social networks and online discussion forums. OBJECTIVE: The review encompasses current knowledge of prerequisites in social media use of older adults such as functional capacity, information and communications technology-related knowledge, and favorable attitudes towards social media. Then, the potential of social media use for clinical practice and possible negative consequences are outlined. METHOD: Literature on social media use from a gerontological perspective was reviewed in July and August 2012. RESULTS: Online communities are suitable for providing and receiving social support when confronted with a difficult life situation, regardless of geographical location or time. From a practitioner's perspective, social media can be used to advance health-related knowledge such as information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of specific conditions and disorders. Further positive consequences have been shown to be overcoming loneliness, relieving stress, and raising feelings of control and self-efficacy. Possible negative consequences could be misuse of personal data as well as the distribution and uncritical adoption of potentially harmful information via online communities. DISCUSSION: The potential of social media in clinical practice is reflected in a wide range of intervention possibilities for older adults. However, with the rise of social media, new threats emerge for older adults as well.

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Older adults have different goals and motivations for using social media compared with younger adults.
“studies show that older adults have different goals and motivations for using social media compared with younger adults (Leist, 2013).”
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Authors: Leist, A. K.
Affiliations: University of Luxembourg (LU)
Corresponding author: Leist, Anja K.
ORCID: Leist, Anja K.
Venue: Gerontology
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Published: 2013
Volume: 59
Issue: 4
Pages: 378-384
ISSN: 0304-324X (ISSN-L)
1423-0003
DOI: 10.1159/000346818
OpenAlex: W1981323906
Cited by: 378
References: 24
Citations by year: 2026: 23 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1
FWCI: 4.10
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.karger.com/Services/SiteLicenses (vor)
www.karger.com/Services/SiteLicenses (tdm)
Locations: Gerontology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Open Repository and Bibliography (University of Luxembourg) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Funders: Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg
Topics: Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
Keywords: social media use, older adults, social networking sites, online communities, social support, loneliness, stress, self-efficacy, attitudes toward social media, misuse of personal data, health information, successful aging, clinical practice
MeSH terms: Aged, Aging, Attitude to Computers, Humans, Loneliness, Motivation, Social Behavior, Social Support, Telemedicine, Social Media

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