SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AMONG OLDER ADULTS: THE CASE OF KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY SENIOR CITIZEN GROUP

Abstract

         The purpose of this research was to study the behavior and analysis of the credibility of information on social media among older adults. The researcher semployed a phenomenological research methodology and collected data via in-depth interviews of 12 key informants in the KhonKaen University Senior Citizen Group, recruited using the snowball sampling technique.Interview data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique.

         Findings reveal three main points as follows. Firstly, the older adults have been more adapted to the use of technology after using social media. Secondly, the older adults havefive methods of analyzing the credibility of information on social media: 1) examining the source; 2) examining the content; 3) using prior experience; 4) comparing multiple sources; and 5) conducting own experiments based on the data obtained. Thirdly, the older adults have both positive and negative views of social media. The positive view is that social media has increased their knowledge and has made communication more comfortable. The negative view is that the use of social media causes addiction to media use. The results of this study can be used as a guideline to improve and develop social media to support the behavior of the elderly.