ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews literature on older adults and social media. It begins with an overview of how aging processes overlap with technology use and then highlight prevailing research themes. Finally, it highlights the predominant theoretical frameworks that have guided this research and suggest new directions for study. Despite today's older adults being healthier and better educated than previous generations, physical, perceptual and cognitive changes coincident with aging present some unique challenges to the use of the Internet and especially social media. Studies of social media use at older ages, however, tend to highlight social media's utilitarian role in everyday life. The incidence of chronic illness and disability at older ages is frequently cited as functionally interfering with the use of digital technologies. Studies on the role of the Internet and social media in expanding social networks and enhancing life quality have been mixed. The use of social media enhances connection with others, which reduces loneliness and ultimately enhances well-being.
