BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF SENIOR CITIZENS’ INTERACTION WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17046485Keywords:
Digital Divide, Senior Citizens, Social Media, Digital Inclusion, Social Capital, Aging, Sociological Perspectives, Intergenerational CommunicationAbstract
The rapid proliferation of digital technologies and social media platforms has transformed communication, information access, and social engagement across societies. However, senior citizens often remain marginalized in this digital landscape, facing barriers that range from technological complexity to socio-cultural constraints. This study examines the sociological dimensions of senior citizens’ interaction with social media, aiming to understand the factors influencing adoption, patterns of engagement, and the broader social implications of digital participation. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations, Activity Theory of Aging, Social Capital Theory, and Giddens’ Structuration Theory, the study explores the interplay between individual agency, social structures, and cultural norms in shaping digital engagement. The analysis highlights the benefits of social media for older adults, including enhanced social connectedness, reduced isolation, intergenerational communication, and opportunities for civic participation, while also addressing challenges such as digital literacy gaps, privacy concerns, and accessibility barriers. Sociological perspectives emphasize the importance of holistic interventions that integrate family support, community programs, age-friendly policies, and technological design to bridge the digital divide effectively. The study underscores that fostering meaningful digital inclusion among senior citizens is not merely a matter of access, but a multidimensional endeavor with significant implications for social equity, empowerment, and intergenerational cohesion.
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