Attitudes of active older Internet users towards online social networking

Although information and communication technology (ICT) has a radical impact on people's everyday lives, bringing new social experiences and new ways for people to interact, there is still a large difference in social behaviour in this area between people in different age groups. Online social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. are becoming increasingly important social media, but people aged 50 years and over use these resources at lower rates than those in younger age groups. In this paper we aim to investigate the factors affecting the use of online social networks by active older Internet users in Slovenia. Additionally, we address how often, and to what extent, active older Internet users are engaged in using ICT. A research study is presented that was conducted among active older Internet users, on the basis of a non-standardised research questionnaire. Collected data were analysed with basic descriptive, univariate and multivariate statistical methods, followed by induction of a decision tree using the WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) 3.7 programming environment. Research findings revealed that female participants are more familiar with the term 'online social network' and are also more frequent users, compared to male participants. Additionally, the results showed that age, gender and education seem to be the most important factors having a direct or indirect impact on the use of online social networks by active older Internet users. We analyse attitudes of active older Internet users toward online social networking and factors affecting their use.Findings give insight in actual knowledge of active older Internet users about the online social networks.Age, gender and education are the most important factors affecting the use of online social networks.Use of online social networks is positively correlated to Skype use.Active older Internet users use online social networks to maintain social relationships and to prevent loneliness.

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