Age Differences in Online Social Networking: Extending Socioemotional Selectivity Theory to Social Network Sites

Abstract

This article extends socioemotional selectivity theory to online social networking by examining age differences in the size and composition of Facebook networks across a wide age range of Facebook users (18 to 93 years old) in a nationally representative sample. Findings suggest increasing selectivity of Facebook social partners with age. Compared to younger adults, friend networks of older adults are smaller but contain a greater proportion of individuals who are considered to be actual friends. Moreover, a higher proportion of actual to total Facebook friends is associated with lower levels of social isolation and loneliness across the life span.

Age differences in privacy attitudes, literacy and privacy management on Facebook

“…Previous studies have mainly focused on two dimensions of privacy management behavior: selfdisclosure and taking privacy protecting measures. Considering that SNSs are increasingly being used by adults of all ages (Perrin, 2015) and given the recent evidence suggesting that older adults differ from younger adults and adolescents in terms of how they use SNSs (e.g., Brandtzaeg et al, 2010;Chang et al, 2015;McAndrew & Jeong, 2012), understanding age differences in relation to privacy related behavior is an important subject of inquiry. Yet, until recently, there has been very limited research in this area (for recent exceptions see, Steijn, 2014;Van den Broeck et al, 2015).…”

“…There is only limited data available on the effect of age on SNS use in general (Chang, Choi, Bazarova, & Löckenhoff, 2015) and privacy management behavior in SNSs particularly (Steijn, 2014). Below, we first summarize extant research on age differences in SNS usage patterns and then focus on age differences related to disclosure, privacy attitudes and privacy management behavior.…”

“…Being at a developmental stage characterized by "exploration and instability" (Arnett, 2004), young adults are more likely to be motivated to experiment with social boundaries and engage in self-disclosure on SNSs as a means of satisfying this motivation than older adults do (for a summary, see Van den Broeck et al, 2015). Relatedly, young adults are more likely to use SNSs for self-presentation, which, in turn, may be related to their tendency to use SNSs more actively, which entails higher self-disclosure (Arjan et al, 2008;Chang et al, 2015;Christofides et al, 2012;Peter & Valkenburg, 2011;Steijn, 2014;Walrave et al, 2012). Given these findings, this study will test the following two hypotheses:…”

“…Older users primarily use SNSs to maintain their relationship with close contacts (i.e., friends and family) and overall spend less time on the site (e.g., Brandtzaeg, Lüders, & Skjetne, 2010;Christofides, Muise, & Desmarais, 2012;McAndrew & Jeong, 2012), whereas younger adults seek larger and more heterogeneous social networks and use SNSs for a wider range of purposes (Arjan, Pfeil, & Zaphiris, 2008;Chang et al, 2015). Being at a developmental stage characterized by "exploration and instability" (Arnett, 2004), young adults are more likely to be motivated to experiment with social boundaries and engage in self-disclosure on SNSs as a means of satisfying this motivation than older adults do (for a summary, see Van den Broeck et al, 2015).…”

Perceptions on technology for volunteer respite care for bedridden elders in Chile

“…Various studies show that the reason for sharing information via social networks differs based on age. Senior citizens worry more about privacy and tend to protect it by not sharing information, while young adults tend to reveal information and use Facebook’s privacy measures (Chang, Choi, Bazarova, & Löckenhoff, 2015; Steijn, 2014; Varnali & Toker, 2015). This information should be considered when designing a strategy or ICT that connects caregivers with volunteers, in order to respectfully and effectively safeguard a person’s privacy.…”