Introduction

Older adults may develop supportive relationships through online interactions and
enhance contact with family and friends by using the Internet. Giving and receiving tangible or
emotional assistance is the essence of social support. Perhaps older adults benefit from the direct
effects of social support by developing a safe and reliable online social network. More frequent
use of the Internet has an indirect influence on improving psychological well-being among older
adults, which supports previous reports that have suggested that Internet use can be beneficial to
well-being in later life. Social media allows older adults to express themselves, participate in
discussions and stay in contact with society. Participating in social networks can empower older
people and provide them with a sense of connectedness and greater control and self-efficacy.
Social media can be understood as internet-based applications that create links among users and
user-generated content in online environments (Obar and Wildman) Information and
communication technology (ICT) is defined as using e-mail, the Internet, social networking sites,
and voice/video technology on devices such as smartphones, computers, and tablets (Blaschke,
Freddolino, & Mullen, 2009).

Review of Literature

Older adults use the Internet less than all other age groups, but their rate of use has been
increasing rapidly in recent years (Perrin & Duggan, 2015).Older adults’ ICT use is also
positively associated with formal social participation, such as attending meetings and
involvement with community organizations (Cody et al., 1999; Hogeboom et al., 2010), religious
participation, and volunteer work (Choi & Dinitto, 2013).

Ihm and Hsieh (2015) reported that older adults’ offline social engagement (informal and formal)
was positively associated with instrumental ICT use (e.g., obtaining information, services, and
other resources), but not with social ICT use (e.g., using social media, posting comments on
blogs).

Findings revealed that men were more likely to access and use ICT than women. Men were more
likely to access ICT (89.8% vs. 85.7%, p < .001) than women

According to a study for the Pew Internet and American Life, social networking site (SNS) use
among internet users ages 65 and older grew from 13% in 2009 to 33% in 2011 [24]. As of
February 2012, one third (34%) of internet users age 65 and older used social networking sites
such as Facebook [24]. Among the 69% of those older than 65 who use social media, 68% use
Facebook [24] whereas only 20% use LinkedIn, 16% use Twitter, and 12% use Pinterest. 34% of
males reported using Facebook. As of 2011, nearly seven in ten online women were users of
social networking sites (69%), compared with six in ten online men (60%). Women have also
been more active in their use of these sites with almost half of female internet users using social
networking sites on a typical day (48%) compared with 38% of male internet users

Adults with wide networks of close relatives and friends have good QoL(Quality of work) and
well-being [29]. More frequent contacts with family were also positively correlated with QoL
[736, 29]. Other studies showed that beginning or maintaining participation in social activities in
later life is associated with greater QoL

(78%) of the older adults use social media platforms (first Facebook, then WhatsApp, TikTok,
and Twitter) and (49.8%) of them trust them. It also indicated that (74.7%) of them believed that
these platforms increased their acquaintances, while (53.2%) considered them to have improved
their social relations, (51.6%) of them considered that social media platforms had a positive
impact on their psychological condition.

The gratifications theory states that the audience chooses the medium and the contents that the
audience wants to pursue based on several complex and interrelated factors, including cultural
backgrounds, personality, lifestyle, age, gender, income, education, economic level.
Accordingly, the theory of uses and gratifications differed from previous theories in that it dealt
with the characteristics of the audience that is exposed to the media in terms of characteristics
and motives away from the argument of habituation and acceptance of what is presented to it.

There is a high usage of social media by older adults. Facebook came first, followed by
WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, then Instagram, while other sites came at low levels.
The results also concluded that the high level of the utilitarian’s motives is associated with
acquisition.

Variables

Social Media - Social media can be understood as internet-based applications that create links
among users and user-generated content in online environments (Obar and Wildman)

Well being - Well-being is a positive state experienced by individuals and societies

Research gaps

Motivational factors for using or not using social media needs to be analyzed. Analysis of
another social media app. Exploring other potential mediators of the relationships among Internet
use, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being for a comprehensive understanding of the
effects of Internet use among older adults.

Scales

Ryff’s Measures of Psychological Well-Being.16 A total of seven items using a 6-point Likert-type scale
were used. a
series of statements reflecting the six areas of psychological
well-being: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth,
positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.
CASP-19 scale - Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure. The scale comprised 19 questions
eliciting responses on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (never), 1 (not very often), 2 (sometimes), to
3 (often)