Beyond Isolation: Social Media as a Bridge to Well-Being in Old Age

Renato Mendonça Ribeiro (), João Daniel de Souza Menezes, Daniele Alcalá Pompeo, Maria Angélica Andreotti Diniz, Gabriella Santos Lima, Patrícia Cruz Pontífice Sousa Valente Ribeiro, Júlio César André, Rita de Cássia Helú Mendonça Ribeiro, Rosalina Aparecida Partezani Rodrigues and Luciana Kusumota
Additional contact information
Renato Mendonça Ribeiro: Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil
João Daniel de Souza Menezes: Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, Av. Brg. Faria Lima, 5416-Vila Sao Pedro, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, SP, Brazil
Daniele Alcalá Pompeo: Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, Av. Brg. Faria Lima, 5416-Vila Sao Pedro, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, SP, Brazil
Maria Angélica Andreotti Diniz: Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil
Gabriella Santos Lima: Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil
Patrícia Cruz Pontífice Sousa Valente Ribeiro: Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde e Enfermagem, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Palma de Cima, 1649-023 Lisboa, Portugal
Júlio César André: Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, Av. Brg. Faria Lima, 5416-Vila Sao Pedro, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, SP, Brazil
Rita de Cássia Helú Mendonça Ribeiro: Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, Av. Brg. Faria Lima, 5416-Vila Sao Pedro, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, SP, Brazil
Rosalina Aparecida Partezani Rodrigues: Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil
Luciana Kusumota: Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: Population aging and the digital revolution have converged, creating challenges and opportunities for the social inclusion of older adults. This study examined social media usage patterns among Brazilian older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring their associations with sociodemographic factors, health, and well-being. Through an online survey with 441 participants aged 60 or older, we found that WhatsApp ® and Instagram ® were the most utilized platforms, with a significant increase in usage during the pandemic. Higher educational attainment and income were associated with more frequent and diverse social media use, while the presence of comorbidities positively correlated with seeking health information online. Notably, greater engagement in social media was associated with an improved perception of well-being. The results highlight the potential of social media as tools for digital inclusion, access to information, and promotion of well-being for older adults, especially in crisis contexts. However, they also reveal socioeconomic disparities in access to and use of these technologies. These findings have significant implications for public policies on digital inclusion and health promotion, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to reduce digital inequality among older adults and maximize the potential benefits of social media for active and connected aging.

Keywords: older adults; digital inclusion; COVID-19; technology and aging; digital health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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