Senior’ Use of Text Messages and SNS and Contact with Informal Social Network Members

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of Korean older adults’ use of Social Network Service (SNS) and text messages with frequency of contact with 1) non-coresident adult children, 2) siblings and relatives, or 3) friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. Data were drawn from the 2017 Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons 65+ (N=8,392), and older adults were categorized into 4 groups depending on their familiarity with use of SNS and text messages. Ordinary Least Squares regression models were estimated for analyses. Results revealed that older users of both types of communication media reported frequent exchanges of calls, text messages, etc. with both family and friends. However, using SNS and text messages was consistently related to more face-to-face contact with non-family members. To conclude, older adults’ familiarity with communication media could be key to exchanges of emotional and instrumental support with informal social network members and quality of life in the community. Overall, our results highlight the importance of information communication education targeting older adults for continued involvement with their informal social network members.