Living Longer Online. Seniors, Online Communities and Web 2.0 McNally Ciara
Abstract
This paper explores published articles that have researched the effects of senior citizens participating on Web 2.0 and joining online communities. The paper refers to public participation on Web 2.0 platforms, namely the obstacles and the health benefits associated with senior citizens joining online communities. The articles referenced in this paper show evidence of extended mortality rates among those who utilise online platforms for communication later in life, helping to combat loneliness and social ailments (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010). Monbiot (2018) discusses a town in the UK, which claims that participation in communities is curing its senior town residence from ailments, subsequently lowering the town’s hospital admissions. Others back the findings in this article with numerous case studies recording positive results from seniors aged 55 and over participating in online communities. Medical case studies show a connection between social behaviour and feelings with inflammation and illnesses, thus linking social communication to physical wellbeing (Eisenberger, Moieni, Inagaki, Muscatell, & Irwin, 2017). This paper investigates the importance of community connection in adult life, highlighting that the usability and diversity associated with Web 2.0 platforms and social network sites ‘SNS’ (boyd & Ellison, 2007) encourage online participation. This paper acknowledges “The Digital divide” (Peacock & Künemund, 2007) and “Technophobia” (Hogan, 2009) as barriers which senior citizens come up against when attempting to utilise the internet and Web 2.0 platforms. This paper argues that senior citizens can overcome Technophobia and actively participate in online communities to encourage greater mental health and wellbeing, therefore influencing positive social connections regardless of physical ability, age or locations.
Living Longer Online: The Benefits of Joining Online Communities.
Traditional communities can be defined as groups of participants, from a similar demographic or geographic location physically meeting to contribute to a common interest or goal, also known as a Common good (Katz James E, Rice Ronald e, Acord Sophia, Dasgupta Kiki, & David, 2004). Online communities have developed with the same principles as traditional communities that relied on a common geographical location and a physical presence for connection (Katz James E et al., 2004). However, thanks to advances in digitization and convergence (Jenkins, 2004), community connection is now accessible via the internet and Web 2.0 platforms, which broaden community reach by diminishing the need for co-location of members.
Web 2.0 is a term used to describe an evolved version of the World Wide Web for companies that had survived the dot com crash, the term originated by Tim O’Reilly in a 2005 conference (Allen, 2009). Web 2.0 is an efficient and collaborative platform made for “human connection” (Fuchs, 2010, p. 764), allowing participants to contribute and participate from multiple geographical locations. The term Web 2.0 relates to the World Wide Web becoming a faster, more efficient, and adaptable version of itself (Allen, 2009). Web 2.0 is a platform that enables us the capability to present one’s self through online connections, participation and collaboration.
Social Network Sites or SNS’s are platforms with multiple technological affordances used for connection and participation on Web 2.0 (boyd & Ellison, 2007). Social network sites attract people to interact through shared interests, common friends or to follow blog posts on particular topics (Blood, 2000). Utilising SNS’s such as Facebook has been seen to strengthen existing family ties and friendships, combat loneliness and complement existing arrangements such as phone calls, particularly valid in the case of senior citizens (Cornejo, Tentori, & Favela, 2013). Lai and Turban (2008) explain that one of the largest differences between the traditional World Wide Web and Web 2.0 is that its content is user generated with a large emphasis on social network sites, encouraging greater collaboration and participation from internet users.
Social media platforms can be utilised for communication as a Web 2.0 tool, and accessed at little cost with almost full user control for sharing posts, pictures, videos and experiences. Social Network Sites may comprise of thousands sometimes millions of members, or in the case of Facebook have over 2 billion active users (Statista, 2018). Within these social network sites online communities and groups can form. These groups are niece to a specific topic, interest or common attribute, and links users such as senior citizens (Facebook, 2018) together in a sub-topic on a large social networking site (Lai & Turban, 2008). The expanding reach available for online communities increases their member numbers and further solidifies their common purpose.
When a traditional community becomes disconnected, contact between individuals and the community is lost due to physical dispersal (Katz James E et al., 2004). Utilizing the advances of the internet and the participatory nature of Web 2.0 (Jenkins, 2004), online community members can reconnect, expand and retain their connections regardless of the members geographical locations or physical abilities. Virtual communities are “communities without the physical limitations” (Katz James E et al., 2004, p. 326), broadening the sense of belonging and connection individuals feel within an online community. Utilising these Web 2.0 elements allows a sense of community to flourish for online participants.
Discussion
Communities and Web 2.0 have evolved in our everyday lives, providing numerous modes of communication and community participation available for all age groups. An article published by The Guardian (Monbiot, 2018), has associated community groups with a cure for illness and isolation. The article states that when senior citizens become active members in communities emergency hospital admissions fall dramatically. The article reports that social contact for senior citizens should be “on prescription” (Monbiot, 2018). The link between body inflammation and social connections has been described in a case study by Eisenberger et al. (2017), which found that the human immune system is in fact a regulator of social behaviour, and that social environments influence the human immune system. When we are sick, we are sensitive to social situations and communication, knowing when social engagement is required from certain individuals to help us feel better. This study explains that for humans as social animals, having online connections and relationships may help influence our recovery in times of sickness and help to improve mortality rates, “Social disconnection severely compromises survival” (Eisenberger et al., 2017, p. 243). This links the importance of participation in online communities with mental and physical wellbeing (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010).
Online communities along with SNS’s allow participation and communication online, influencing characteristics of community through participation. A “sense of community” (Gruzd, Wellman, & Takheteyev, 2011, p. 1313) can be obtained through participants using Web 2.0 platforms for organizing to meet others, hold discussions in online forums and create events thus, retaining the traditional sense of community while expanding social circles, relationships and sharing a common cause. Creating “Civic communities” online encourages members to address public issues collectively, as opposed to individually which utilises the power in numbers (Borgida et al., 2002).
National seniors Australia Facebook page claims a “Collective voice of over 200,000 members, National Seniors is the largest, independent organisation lobbying government and business at all levels to get a better deal for the over 50s” (Facebook, 2018). Online communities such as this are proving to be valuable community platforms with its members lobbying for a “Common good” (Katz James E et al., 2004), which in this case is for positive change for a demographic of Australians aged 50 and over. Multiple contributions to a shared goal or topic have been recognized to produce a richer quality of work as opposed to the quality of work produced by individual contribution, heightening the need for numerous members and contributors within online communities (Arazay Ofer, Morgan Wayne, & Raymond, 2006). The further the reach gained by online communities increases their quality of work and further advertises their common goal along with increasing the number of community members.
Concerns have been raised in relation to the use of online communication platforms for developing youths, with research showing its growing use is a cause for social issues such as aggression, substance abuse, academic difficulties and disordered eating (Strasburger, Jordan, & Donnerstein, 2010). Effects from the use of online communication are not always positive, with the internet and Web 2.0 affordances often used as platforms for cyber bullying and aggression (Melissa & Park, 2010). This raises concerns for professionals regarding the impact technology is having on the developing brain. However, the impact that the same communication and social engagement is having for those aged 55 and over, or those who have fully developed as adults finds that communicating online has beneficial effects on their health and wellbeing, contributing to “successful ageing” (Nimrod, 2011, p. 227).
People are increasingly using SNS’s to stay in contact and share important aspects of their life with family and friends, older adults will miss opportunities to keep updated with friends and family members who now spend a large amount of time using these platforms (Cornejo et al., 2013). The ability to utilise Web 2.0 tools such a blogs, wikis, messaging, video calling and online forums are moreover, encouraging senior citizens to overcome “technophobia” , a fear of technology (Hogan, 2009) and to retain high levels of social engagement and relationships with family members and friends online. Data from over 308,849 individuals was gathered and measured over seven and a half years, the results found that people who maintain strong social relationships had a 50% greater likelihood of survival compared to those lacking sufficient social relationships (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010). This indicates that online community ties and relationship creation and retention can influence the health outcomes of adults (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010, p. 14).
The Digital age gap or “Digital divide” (Nimrod, 2010) is caused by younger generations adopting digital and technological developments quicker than older generations, this can occur for a number of cultural and technological reasons. Studies done on decisions for older people to remain offline found results to be based on private access possibilities, motivational indifference and deficient knowledge (Peacock & Künemund, 2007). Remaining offline at a time when digital technology and online participation is advancing (Jenkins, 2004), and billions of users are choosing to participate through online platforms means that senior citizens who remain offline will be “disadvantaged from a socio-ecological point of view” (Peacock & Künemund, 2007). Nimrod (2010) discusses how online communities for senior citizens offer emotional support, increasing communication, companionship and an opportunity for growth and retaining friendships, these online communities also offer an opportunity to have fun and create new friendships (Nimrod, 2011). It is important that that senior citizens still feel like active members of society, this may be threatened by retirement or ill health, however contributing to online forums and SNS’s leads to companionship and discussions on a broad number of subjects from death to politics, serving a sense of connectedness for those who participate (Nimrod, 2010).
A study on technophobia conducted on senior citizens and undergraduate students in Ireland found significant levels of technophobia and computer anxiety in older citizens namely women, as opposed to younger undergraduate students, the case study was measured on computer anxiety and attitudes towards technology (Hogan, 2009). Computer anxiety results in computer avoidance, and has been linked with the ageing population, as older adults become less mobile, continual aspects of daily life are becoming increasingly reliant on information technology and It is therfore becoming more important for senior citizens to learn how to utilise online technologies (Hogan, 2009). Social isolation and decreased face-to-face interaction are worrying trends among the ageing population (Borgida et al., 2002) using the internet and Web 2.0 platforms may be considered a strategy for combating this. According to studies (Borgida et al., 2002; Cornejo et al., 2013; Hogan, 2009; Nimrod, 2010; Peacock & Künemund, 2007) for senior citizens to advance from technophobia and eliminate a Digital divide new methods of internet communication participation must be introduced to encourage this demographic to participate and communicate online.
Conclusions and Future studies
In conclusion, technological advances and developments in the Internet and Web 2.0 have made for a relatively seamless, useful and efficient World Wide Web, its platforms etched in our everyday lives to enable online communication, productivity and usability of numerous platforms (Allen, 2009). For younger generations growing up using digital technology these platforms have a sense of ease of use, with many people now choosing to retain social connections and share important elements of their lives on SNS’s (boyd & Ellison, 2007). Senior citizens aged 55 plus are a generation who did not grow up proficiently educated in using these technologies (Hogan, 2009). This among other cultural factors has resulted in a Digital divide between younger and older generations (Peacock & Künemund, 2007). The case studies used in this paper strongly suggest that utilizing online communities is increasing mortality rates, combatting ailments and tackling loneliness in senior citizens (Eisenberger et al., 2017; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010; Monbiot, 2018). The mentioned health benefits for senior citizens joining online communities such as companionship, social engagement, increased mortality and positive mental wellbeing outweigh the difficulties and obstacles initiated by the Digital divide, such as computer anxiety and technophobia. Much of the research findings suggest that highlighting and advertising these benefits while putting sufficient programs in place to promote internet communication and participation will educate the ageing population on how to better utilise the internet and Web 2.0 (Borgida et al., 2002; Hogan, 2009; Peacock & Künemund, 2007). Introducing sufficent technoligical educational programs will ensure that senior citizens do not become socially disadvantaged, thus increasing connectivity and participation rates of this demographic and influencing a better quality of life for senior citizens through community participation and the use of Web 2.0. This will also encourge topics for future study in this area.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Allen, M. (2009). Tim O’Reilly and Web 2.0: The Economics of Memetic Liberty and control Communication, Politics & Culture, 42(2), 6-23.
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Hi Ciara,
Just from the title I was very interested in your paper, such a great perspective! I thought it was great how you linked online social behaviour with physical wellbeing. Within this connection, do you think it has also positively affected people of our generation? I know when I detect a symptom I jump straight online to forums to research it. Maybe this is because we tend to trust the online world more than older generations.
In regards to technophobia, do you think it presents a shift away from traditional notions of digital divide? In your last statement you suggest that ‘new methods of internet communication participation must be introduced’ to alleviate technophobia. Do you have any suggestions for this? Maybe government funded online networking classes for aged citizens? Consider the Ipad Man, who travels around Australia hosting classes for elderly iPad owners.
You have set your paper well within the Web 2.0 & Communities stream, however you have a strong mention of SNS which fits into a different stream, resulting in potential misinterpretation from some readers, however the way you have described it as a ‘tool’ for Web 2.0 should help to alleviate this so well done!
Overall great paper! I like how you have kept small paragraphs, it makes for an easy read and your content is concise and to the point, which has given me a much better understanding of your topic. Your paper has given me a new perspective of age divisions within online communities – something i never would have thought about!
Thanks for the read! Chanel.
Hi Chanel,
Thank you for the informative feedback. Yes, I did worry about the stream choice however on reflection I believe that Web 2.0 and communities is the correct stream choice for the paper based on the discussions relating to the health benefits community formation and participation on Web 2.0 platforms can instil in its members. I agree with you and believe we absolutely rely on the internet a lot more than older generations, perhaps as you mention due to us having more ‘trust’ in it and the fact that we have had more exposure to it than older generations. IPad man is a perfect example of a new method of internet education and development for senior citizens. Future research on how incentives such as this can help to alleviate technophobia in such a digital era would be of much interest. I feel like technophobia is more a fear of using technology as mentioned in the paper and a digital divide is the acknowledgement of different levels of use among certain demographics. How do your parents/grandparents utilize technology? My Granny doesn’t use it at all, and my parents are not very ‘tech savy’ so to say!
Hi Ciara,
This is such an interesting topic! There’s so much stigma about seniors and the Internet – from both seniors, who are often “technophobic” and put off by how much younger generations rely on it, and from non-seniors, who tend to assume that people of a certain age are totally technologically illiterate and don’t belong online. But, as you point out, there are several benefits of seniors using the Internet and social media! You noted that being part of an online community can help seniors combat loneliness and keep in touch with their family, which is important. I would also argue that social media and online forums may help seniors struggling with specific but common issues – such as illness and the death of friends and partners. How great would it be for seniors to find online support networks of other people their age who are also facing these inevitable challenges? Especially those who live alone or in retirement housing.
I’m curious to know what steps you think need to be taken to introduce more seniors to the Internet. Perhaps free seminars or training sessions on the Internet and social media use? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Looking forward to chatting with you,
Kelsey
Hi Kelsey,
Thank you for your comment! Yes I found it quite an interesting topic too, I was going to write about the benefits of online community’s and communication regarding adolescents but when I began reading about senior internet use I realized it was an area a lot less researched which I found intriguing. The health benefits seem quite influential and promote internet use and the joining of online communities for older generations.
I also agree that it is important for seniors to find like-minded and similar aged connections so they can discuss commonalities and build new relationships, some Facebook groups are specifically for older demographics such as the “National Seniors Australia” page (Facebook, 2018) as mentioned in my paper. Groups like this encourage online community and relationship formation for senior citizens. I feel that seminars held in local community halls and schools would greatly benefit seniors becoming educated in internet communications and should be something every local council introduces! Does everyone in your life of a senior age utilize the internet or do you feel there is room for improvement?!
References
Facebook. (2018). National Seniors Australia Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/nationalseniors/
Hi Ciara,
As someone who wrote about adolescents, I have to agree, a lot of research about Internet and social media use focuses on young people. I think it’s great that you decided to take a different approach in your research!
I’m glad that these groups exist. I think they also probably create a comfortable space for seniors to “figure out” the Internet, if that makes sense. Most of the “young” seniors I know (aged 60-65) do use the Internet, but there’s definitely room for improvement. My parents are both in their early 60s and while they both have Facebook, I don’t think they really understand how to use it – a lot of their friends have fallen for Internet scams, which I think unfortunately tend to target older people. For this reason, I think it would definitely benefit seniors to learn how to be more tech-savvy, even if it’s only as simple as learning how to identify a scam. Seminars held in community places sounds like a great idea!
Hey Ciara,
Thanks for sharing your paper. Really interesting read and something I hadn’t thought about myself. I particularly like how you decided to outline the differing effects of social media participation on younger, developing users and the contrasting effects on older users. It highlights how experiences can be shaped by various factors including life cycles amongst others.
I agree with your stance that social media can be beneficial for older users as older people tend to be lonely. However, I was not aware that research existed proving how such can be beneficial for their health as well as their life span. I will definitely be reading some of the works that you referenced!
I also like the fact that you pointed out how older generations can be techno-phobic. Do you think that there should be more social networking sites or platforms that are developed specifically for users over 55 or do you consider Facebook, Instagram and the likes appropriate?
Hi Laura,
Thank you for your feedback on my paper, yes it is fascinating that online communities can have such profound effects such as increasing mortality rates among senior citizens (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010). As encouraging as this research is, there clearly needs to be more local training availability and education on online communities and communication platforms for the older generation to progress from technophobia. Larger efforts must be made to limit a digital divide in such a technological era. As mentioned in the paper, senior citizens who do not to utilize online platforms for communication purposes may risk social disconnection which has detrimental physical and mental consequences (Eisenberger, Moieni, Inagaki, Muscatell, & Irwin, 2017).
I agree that Facebook is an appropriate platform for seniors to connect via groups and pages as they can connect and communicate with family and friends who may be of different generations or demographics all on the one platform. Therefore, they do not need to log in and out of different platforms to connect with friends and family or fellow senior citizens instilling an ease of use on one platform. I believe that a platform for seniors only limits the connections they can keep and create as opposed to Facebook which can have niche groups within the platform to cater for different communities (Facebook, 2018)
Do you believe Facebook and common social media platforms such as Instagram and snapchat attract the older generations or that new platforms should be created to encourage online participation and community formation on Web 2.0 for senior citizens?
References
Eisenberger, N. I., Moieni, M., Inagaki, T. K., Muscatell, K. A., & Irwin, M. R. (2017). In Sickness and in Health: The Co-Regulation of Inflammation and Social Behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology, 42(1), 242-253. doi:10.1038/npp.2016.141
Facebook. (2018). National Seniors Australia Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/nationalseniors/