Social Media Usage among Older Adults: Insights from Nigeria

Abstract

There has been very little research and policy regarding the inclusion of older adults in new technological applications in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African region. The study examined the use of social media among older adults in Ibadan, South-West, Nigeria using a semi-structured interview. A qualitative explorative study was set-up, involving six consenting members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ibadan branch whose age is above 55 years. Purposive sampling technique was used to include the participants who have access to a social media-enabled phone. A semi-structured was conducted to obtain information about the social media usage among the older adults. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview transcripts. The mean age of the older adults is 58.5. Two themes emerged from the interview session: experience and barriers to social media use. Participants had an exciting experience using social media to maintain social connectedness and barriers associated with privacy, poor access to the internet, illiteracy, and frustration. The study concludes that social media use is essential to sustaining social connectedness among older adults. Desire to use social media among the older adults is embedded in their social, personal, and cognitive context. The study advocates for inclusive digital programming for older adults.

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