Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram

Background: The use of social networking services (SNS) by older adults within the context of the digital divide has become a hot topic. Several studies have shown that SNS use among older adults is related to their health status; however, few studies have examined the association between health and...

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Main Authors: Kanon Tsukada, Tomoya Takahashi, Yuho Shimizu, Yan Li, Toshihito Tsuchiya, Kiyo Kawakubo, Tomoya Sagara, Koki Ito, Tomoki Furuya, Hiroyuki Suzuki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307824000936
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author Kanon Tsukada
Tomoya Takahashi
Yuho Shimizu
Yan Li
Toshihito Tsuchiya
Kiyo Kawakubo
Tomoya Sagara
Koki Ito
Tomoki Furuya
Hiroyuki Suzuki
author_facet Kanon Tsukada
Tomoya Takahashi
Yuho Shimizu
Yan Li
Toshihito Tsuchiya
Kiyo Kawakubo
Tomoya Sagara
Koki Ito
Tomoki Furuya
Hiroyuki Suzuki
author_sort Kanon Tsukada
collection DOAJ
description Background: The use of social networking services (SNS) by older adults within the context of the digital divide has become a hot topic. Several studies have shown that SNS use among older adults is related to their health status; however, few studies have examined the association between health and specific SNS platforms. Objective: This study investigates the relationship between older adults’ use of four major SNS platforms in Japan (LINE, Facebook, Twitter [now X], and Instagram) and the health of older adults. Subjective health and frequency of going out were used as health indicators. Method: A survey was conducted among participants in a health promotion program for older adults in Tokyo between 2020 and 2022. A total of 391 older adults participated in the study (M = 72.11 years, 65–86 years, 363 women). Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that subjective health was higher in users of Facebook, Twitter [now X], and Instagram (but not LINE) compared to non-users. Frequency of going out was not associated with SNS use. Conclusions: Older adults with higher subjective health may be more likely to use SNS platforms due to their willingness to learn new skills and actively participate in social activities. Additionally, SNS may help improve the health of older adults by enabling communication with distant family and friends, even for those who are unable to go out frequently due to health problems.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus
spelling doaj-art-643372566c404b4abbb1736e34ef6c3d2025-08-20T02:38:39ZengElsevierArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus2950-30782024-12-011410009610.1016/j.aggp.2024.100096Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and InstagramKanon Tsukada0Tomoya Takahashi1Yuho Shimizu2Yan Li3Toshihito Tsuchiya4Kiyo Kawakubo5Tomoya Sagara6Koki Ito7Tomoki Furuya8Hiroyuki Suzuki9Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan; Corresponding author.Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan; University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0083, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan; Rissho University, 4-2-16 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-8602, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanTokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, JapanBackground: The use of social networking services (SNS) by older adults within the context of the digital divide has become a hot topic. Several studies have shown that SNS use among older adults is related to their health status; however, few studies have examined the association between health and specific SNS platforms. Objective: This study investigates the relationship between older adults’ use of four major SNS platforms in Japan (LINE, Facebook, Twitter [now X], and Instagram) and the health of older adults. Subjective health and frequency of going out were used as health indicators. Method: A survey was conducted among participants in a health promotion program for older adults in Tokyo between 2020 and 2022. A total of 391 older adults participated in the study (M = 72.11 years, 65–86 years, 363 women). Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that subjective health was higher in users of Facebook, Twitter [now X], and Instagram (but not LINE) compared to non-users. Frequency of going out was not associated with SNS use. Conclusions: Older adults with higher subjective health may be more likely to use SNS platforms due to their willingness to learn new skills and actively participate in social activities. Additionally, SNS may help improve the health of older adults by enabling communication with distant family and friends, even for those who are unable to go out frequently due to health problems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307824000936Social networking servicesHealthOlder adultsDigital divideCommunication
spellingShingle Kanon Tsukada
Tomoya Takahashi
Yuho Shimizu
Yan Li
Toshihito Tsuchiya
Kiyo Kawakubo
Tomoya Sagara
Koki Ito
Tomoki Furuya
Hiroyuki Suzuki
Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus
Social networking services
Health
Older adults
Digital divide
Communication
title Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram
title_full Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram
title_fullStr Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram
title_full_unstemmed Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram
title_short Do healthy older adults use SNS? Focus on LINE, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram
title_sort do healthy older adults use sns focus on line facebook twitter now x and instagram
topic Social networking services
Health
Older adults
Digital divide
Communication
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307824000936
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