Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning

This study examines the scientific output on older adults’ use of social media by examining 2695 documents from the Web of Science database. These publications cover various areas, such as behavioral sciences, psychology, healthcare sciences, and computer sciences, and highlight institutions such as...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Javier Gil Quintana, José Javier Hueso Romero, Luis Miguel Romero Rodríguez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/811
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850077672600764416
author Javier Gil Quintana
José Javier Hueso Romero
Luis Miguel Romero Rodríguez
author_facet Javier Gil Quintana
José Javier Hueso Romero
Luis Miguel Romero Rodríguez
author_sort Javier Gil Quintana
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the scientific output on older adults’ use of social media by examining 2695 documents from the Web of Science database. These publications cover various areas, such as behavioral sciences, psychology, healthcare sciences, and computer sciences, and highlight institutions such as the University of Seville and the University of Michigan. The analysis was extended from 1995 to 2023, identifying 2012 as the year with the most significant increase. The United States led with 757 documents, followed by Spain with 511. Prominent authors include Jia Wu, Howard Giles, and Itai Himelboim. The study also highlighted frequent keywords such as “social networks, communication, and media”. A total of 41 countries were mentioned, and journals such as <i>Profesional de la Información</i> and <i>Comunicar</i> were analyzed. The historical perspective reveals theoretical connections between health, communication, and social networks in the elderly. Despite various challenges, such as the digital divide, the positive impact of social networks on the elderly stands out, providing a training demand for media education as an essential for all.
format Article
id doaj-art-26046f8a5f624cb5b9e27af4af735722
institution DOAJ
issn 2227-7102
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-26046f8a5f624cb5b9e27af4af7357222025-08-20T02:45:45ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-06-0115781110.3390/educsci15070811Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong LearningJavier Gil Quintana0José Javier Hueso Romero1Luis Miguel Romero Rodríguez2Faculty of Communication Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), Camino del Molino, nº 5, Fuenlabrada, 28943 Madrid, SpainFaculty of Education, National University of Distance Education (UNED), Juan del Rosal, nº 14, 28040 Madrid, SpainFaculty of Communication Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), Camino del Molino, nº 5, Fuenlabrada, 28943 Madrid, SpainThis study examines the scientific output on older adults’ use of social media by examining 2695 documents from the Web of Science database. These publications cover various areas, such as behavioral sciences, psychology, healthcare sciences, and computer sciences, and highlight institutions such as the University of Seville and the University of Michigan. The analysis was extended from 1995 to 2023, identifying 2012 as the year with the most significant increase. The United States led with 757 documents, followed by Spain with 511. Prominent authors include Jia Wu, Howard Giles, and Itai Himelboim. The study also highlighted frequent keywords such as “social networks, communication, and media”. A total of 41 countries were mentioned, and journals such as <i>Profesional de la Información</i> and <i>Comunicar</i> were analyzed. The historical perspective reveals theoretical connections between health, communication, and social networks in the elderly. Despite various challenges, such as the digital divide, the positive impact of social networks on the elderly stands out, providing a training demand for media education as an essential for all.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/811social mediamedia literacylifelong learning
spellingShingle Javier Gil Quintana
José Javier Hueso Romero
Luis Miguel Romero Rodríguez
Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning
Education Sciences
social media
media literacy
lifelong learning
title Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning
title_full Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning
title_fullStr Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning
title_full_unstemmed Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning
title_short Social Media and Older Adults (1995–2023): A Bibliometric Analysis with Implications for Media Education in Lifelong Learning
title_sort social media and older adults 1995 2023 a bibliometric analysis with implications for media education in lifelong learning
topic social media
media literacy
lifelong learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/811
work_keys_str_mv AT javiergilquintana socialmediaandolderadults19952023abibliometricanalysiswithimplicationsformediaeducationinlifelonglearning
AT josejavierhuesoromero socialmediaandolderadults19952023abibliometricanalysiswithimplicationsformediaeducationinlifelonglearning
AT luismiguelromerorodriguez socialmediaandolderadults19952023abibliometricanalysiswithimplicationsformediaeducationinlifelonglearning