WHATSAPP USAGE PRACTICES OF OLDER ADULTS IN ISTANBUL: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Öz

This study aims to contribute to the literature on digital communication and aging by examining the WhatsApp usage practices of individuals aged 65 and over living in Istanbul. Designed as a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 40 participants, consisting of 26 women and 14 men. Data were collected with ethical committee approval and evaluated through descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that WhatsApp has become one of the primary digital communication tools for older adults due to its user-friendly interface, multiple communication affordances, and widespread adoption within society. Furthermore, it was found that older adults receive support from family members during the process of learning the application, and this support plays an important role in older adults' adaptation to digital communication technologies. The study also found that older adults predominantly preferred text messaging, tended to avoid contentious topics in group chats to prevent conflicts, and limited their use of status updates due to privacy concerns. Finally, it was determined that while WhatsApp usage strengthened older adults’ social ties, it also contributed to a reduction in face-to-face communication.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Digital communication
• Digital adaptation
• Instant messaging
• WhatsApp
• Elderly population

İSTANBUL’DAKİ YAŞLI BİREYLERİN WHATSAPP KULLANIM PRATİKLERİ: NİTEL BİR ARAŞTIRMA

Öz

Bu çalışma, İstanbul’da yaşayan 65 yaş ve üzeri bireylerin WhatsApp kullanım pratiklerini inceleyerek dijital iletişim ve yaşlılık literatürüne katkı sunmayı amaçlamıştır. Nitel olarak tasarlanan araştırmada, amaçlı örneklem ile seçilen 26 kadın ve 14 erkek olmak üzere toplam 40 katılımcıyla yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, etik kurul onayı alınarak toplanmış ve betimsel analizle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, WhatsApp’ın kullanıcı dostu arayüzü, çoklu iletişim imkânı ve toplumda yaygın kullanımı nedeniyle yaşlı bireyler için temel dijital iletişim araçlarından biri haline geldiğini ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, yaşlı bireylerin uygulamayı öğrenme sürecinde aile bireylerinden destek aldıkları ve bu desteğin yaşlı bireylerin dijital iletişim teknolojilerine uyum süreçlerinde önemli bir rol oynadığı tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra, yaşlı bireylerin WhatsApp’ta en çok yazılı mesajlaşmayı tercih ettikleri, grup sohbetlerinde çatışmaları önlemek için tartışmalı konulardan kaçındıkları ve mahremiyet kaygısıyla durum paylaşımını sınırlı kullandıkları görülmüştür. Son olarak, WhatsApp kullanımının yaşlı bireylerin sosyal bağlarını güçlendirdiği ancak yüz yüze iletişimin azalmasına yol açtığı saptanmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Dijital iletişim
• Dijital uyum
• Anlık mesajlaşma
• WhatsApp
• Yaşlı bireyler

Kaynakça

1. Akbuğa, F. (2023). Yaşlı bireylerin sosyal ağlardaki 'dijital suskunluğu'. Akademik Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 10(62), 328-345. https://doi.org/10.29228/SOBIDER.67696
2. Akyıldız, M., & Büyük, K. (2022). WhatsApp’ın veri paylaşma politikalarında yaptığı değişikliğe dair kullanıcı tepkilerinin ikili karşılaştırmalara dayalı ölçekleme yöntemi ile belirlenmesi. Dijital Teknolojiler ve Eğitim Dergisi, 1(1), 10-25. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6647591
3. Akyuni, S., N., Aisyah, S., & Andayani, E., A. (2024). The analysis of maxim violation in generation Z conversation on WhatsApp. IJOTL-TL: Indonesian Journal of Language Teaching and Linguistics, 9(1), 71-85. https://doi.org/10.30957/ijoltl.v9i1.767
4. Ariel, Y., & Levy, E., C. (2024). The costs of connectivity: WhatsApp usage, privacy concerns, and protection behaviors in Israel. Communication Reports, 38(1), 25-45. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2024.2424552
5. Arun, Ö., Binark, M., Taylan, D., Ö., Kandemir, B., & Şahinkaya, G. (2022). Yaşlıların toplumsal sınıfı, dijital sermayeleri ve Covid-19 salgınında bağlantıda kalma pratikleri. İstanbul University Journal of Sociology, 42(2), 387-410. https://doi.org/10.26650/SJ.2022.42.2.0016
6. Atilgan, S., S., & Tailiaiti, N. (2020). Sosyal medyanın pazarlama iletişiminde kullanılması: Çin’in WeChat pazarlama stratejisi örneği. Social Sciences Studies Journal, 6(69), 4076-4090. https://doi.org/10.26449/sssj.2630
7. Baydili, İ. (2024). WhatsApp aile gruplarının aile iletişimindeki rolü. Journal of History School, 16(66), 2793-2837. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/Joh.72100
8. Bayram, M., N., & Arıcı, A. (2021). Yaşlılıkta dijital çağı yakalamak. Ufkun Ötesi Bilim Dergisi, 21(2), 367-390. https://doi.org/10.54961/uobild.1038116

9. Calvo, A., Aurrekoetxea-Casaus, M., & Borrajo, E. (2024). Virtual ethnography of female migrants: A WhatsApp group as a support tool during their migration process. International Migration & Integration, 25 (2), 553-571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-023-01088-8
10. Cirilli, E., & Nicolini, P. (2020). Elderly people, COVID-19 and technologies: A qualitative research. In F. J. García-Peñalvo (Ed.), EDULEARN20 Proceedings (pp. 8401-8410). IATED Academy. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2020.2065
11. Coulibaly, S. (2023). Exploring health misinformation on WhatsApp within the African migrant and refugee community in Southeast Queensland (SEQ). Media International Australia, 189(1), 8-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X231177836
12. Creswell, J., W., & Poth, C., N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. SAGE Publications.
13. Cui, S., Jiang, J., & Mu, L. (2024). The relationship between loneliness and the overuse of Wechat among chinese elderly: The chain mediation role of sensation seeking and fear of missing out. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 17, 3067-3081. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S467221
14. Çakıcı, Z. (2024). Cyberstalking practices among youth in Türkiye: Motivational drivers, digital avenues, and perceptual paradigms. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi (46), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1488278
15. El-Masri, A., Riedl, M., J., & Woolley, S. (2022). Audio misinformation on WhatsApp: A case study from Lebanon. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review, 3(4), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-102
16. Gangneux, J. (2021). Tactical agency? Young people’s (dis) engagement with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Convergence, 27(2), 458-471. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856520918987
17. Ghosh, M. (2023). Female Instagram elderly influencers countering the ageing narratives. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02323-4
18. Glaser, B., G., & Strauss, A., L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Aldine.
19. Görgün-Baran, A., & Öztekin-Alpaydın, M. (2020). A qualitative study on skills of elders to use digital technology products from digital divide perspective. Yaşlı Sorunları Araştırma Dergisi, 13(2), 107-122. https://doi.org/10.46414/yasad.788412
20. Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? Field Methods, 18(1), 59-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903
21. Gülşen, T. (2025). Mobile instant messaging apps: The new co-participants in face encounters in everyday life. Yeni Yüzyıl’da İletişim Çalışmaları, 3(11), 44-60. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/iyyuicd/issue/90220/1526614#article_cite
22. Haryati, H., & Prayuana, R. (2020). An analysis of code-mixing usage in WhatsApp groups conversation among lecturers of Universitas Pamulang. Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, 7(2), 236-250. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.180
23. Holly, S., Maulik, B., & Samuel, I. (2023). Use of WhatsApp as a learning media to increase students' learning interest. Scientechno: Journal of Science and Technology, 2(1), 35-48. https://doi.org/10.55849/scientechno.v2i1.57
24. Hosseini, S., E. (2023). The effect of technology upskilling on the quality of life of elderly people in Iran [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Lincoln University.
25. Hsu, L., J., Yueh, H., P., & Hsu, S., H. (2021). Subjective social capital and loneliness for the elderly: the moderator role of line and Facebook use. Social Media+ Society, 7(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211043906
26. Kemp, S. (2025, February 5). Digital 2025 global overview report. We Are Social. https://wearesocial.com/uk/blog/2025/02/digital-2025/
27. Küçük, M., Güven, C., & Gümüş-Çiçek, T. (2023). Uzaktan öğrenmede Telegram kullanımı. Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 23(2), 437-462. https://doi.org/10.18037/ausbd.1257165
28. Lee, J., Gwak, S., Gwon, J., Park, J., Eom, S., Hong, S., Ku, G., Lee, W., & Jung, H. (2022). Exploring the community of older adult viewers on YouTube. Universal Access in the Information Society, 22(4), 1393-1404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-022-00918-3
29. Martins, A., Vivas, I., Andrade, D., & Gil, H. (2021). WhatsApp and communication in a pandemic state: Family members and institutionalized elderly: Case study in the County of Idanha-a-Nova (Portugal). In 2021 16th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.23919/CISTI52073.2021.9476260
30. McGaughey, R., E., Zeltmann, S., M., & McMurtrey, M., E. (2013). Motivations and obstacles to smartphone use by the elderly: developing a research framework. International Journal of Electronic Finance, 7(3-4), 177-195. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEF.2013.058601
31. Moreira, E., R., Corrêa, F., Carvalho, D., B., F., Gomide, J., V., B., Faria, V., F., de, Silva, A., P., da, & Lima, P., P., de. (2024). Uso do WhatsApp por pessoas idosas: Um experimento com usuários de nível básico. Caderno Pedagógico, 21(5), 43-88. https://doi.org/10.54033/cadpedv21n5-155
32. Moretti, F., A., Scazufca, M., Nakamura, C., A., Souza, C., H., Q., d., Seward, N., Araya, R., … & Moreno‐Agostino, D. (2022). Use of Whatsapp by older adults screened for depression in socioeconomically deprived areas of Guarulhos, São Paulo State, Brazil: Challenges and possibilities for telehealth. Cadernos De Saúde Pública, 38(12). https://doi.org/10.1590/0102- 311xen093422
33. Morsidi, S., Samah, N., A., Rahman, K., A., A., Ashari, Z., M., Jumaat, N., F., & Abdullah, A., H. (2021). WhatsApp and its potential to develop communication skills among university students. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 15(23), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i23.27243
34. Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. SAGE Publications.
35. Mudavadi, K., C., Tully, M., & Lomoywara, D., B. (2025). Exploring Kenyans’ interactions with misinformation on WhatsApp. Mobile Media & Communication, 13(1), 69-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579241269651
36. Nkemdilim, P. (2025). Perspectives on teaching using WhatsApp in a Nigerian university: A case study. International Journal of Education, 13(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.18488/61.v13i1.3941
37. Oliveira, R., Merlin, B., & Fülber, H. (2022). The communicability of the interaction of the elderly user with the WhatsApp application. In M. Antona & C. Stephanidis (Eds.), Universal access in human-computer interaction: Novel design approaches and technologies (Vol. 13308, pp. 266-278). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05028-2_21
38. Omipidan, I., A., & Sanusi, B., O. (2024). Rise of social media in the digital age: WhatsApp a threat to effective communication. IMSU Journal of Communication Studies, 8(1), 142-153. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12693727
39. Özgür, E. (2021). WhatsApp groups experiences of older users [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Kadir Has University.
40. Özgür, H., O. (2024). Yaşlıların dijitalleşme profili ve ‘gri dijital şiddet’. Yaşlı Sorunları Araştırma Dergisi, 17(2), 103-113. https://doi.org/10.46414/yasad.1401419
41. Pang, N., & Woo, Y., T. (2020). What about WhatsApp? A systematic review of WhatsApp and its role in civic and political engagement. First Monday, 25(12), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v25i12.10417
42. Patton, M., Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
43. Pratiwi, N., & Wijayanti, A. (2025). Utilizing mobile technology: WhatsApp group chats as a tool to enhance students’ engagement in ESP learning. Journal of Education Research, 6(1), 148-153. https://doi.org/10.37985/jer.v6i1.2145
44. Rahayu, E., T., & Hartati, H. (2024). The shift in the use of keigo by migrant care workers on TikTok social media. Studies in Media and Communication, 12(3), 310-324. https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v12i3.6975
45. Rosales, A., & Fernández-Ardèvol, M. (2016). Beyond WhatsApp: Older people and smartphones. Romanian Journal of Communication and Public Relations, 18(1), 27-47. https://doi.org/10.21018/rjcpr.2016.1.200
46. Sádaba, C., Salaverrí­a, R., & Bringué-Sala, X. (2023). How to teach the elderly to detect disinformation: A training experiment with WhatsApp. Profesional De La información, 32(5), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2023.sep.04
47. Saleh, N., M., H., Radwan, E., H., M., El-Gilany, A., & El-Aziz Mohamed, H., N., A. (2020). Effect of an educational program via WhatsApp on knowledge, attitude, and practices of elderly toward COVID-19. Egyptian Nursing Journal, 17(3), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.4103/enj.enj621
48. Sánchez-Valle, M. (2023). The perception of older adults regarding socio-political issues disseminated on social networks. Media and Communication, 11(3), 112-123. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v11i3.6748
49. Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., Burroughs, H., & Jinks, C. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: Exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1893-1907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8
50. Song, X. (2022). User experience design of elderly-oriented social apps based on Kano model—The case of WeChat. In V. G. Duffy, Q. Gao, J. Zhou, M. Antona, & C. Stephanidis (Eds.), HCI International 2022 – Late Breaking Papers: HCI for Health, Well-being, Universal Access and Healthy Aging (Vol. 13521, pp. 534–545). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17902-039
51. Spineli-Silva, B., C., Aparecida-Ávila, A., da Silva-Rocha, G., Pires-Nunes, D., Della-Lucia, F., & Pereira-Brito, T., R. (2020). The impact of the use of FacebookTM on social support networks and symptoms of depression reported by the elderly. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(3), 407-408. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610219000735
52. Suárez-Lantarón, B., Deocano-Ruíz, Y., García-Perales, N., & Castillo-Reche, I., S. (2022). The educational use of WhatsApp. Sustainability, 14(17), 105-110. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710510
53. Sulistiani, I., & Al-Amin. (2025). Communication dynamics through instant messaging applications: A literature analysis of the Telegram and WhatsApp platforms. International Journal of Society Reviews (INJOSER), 3(2), 353-359. https://injoser.joln.org/index.php/123/article/view/344
54. Swandi, C., E., Nugraha, K., A., Sebastian, D., & Restyandito. (2021). Middleware development to connect Telegram messenger and instant messenger for the elderly. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1077, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1077/1/012007
55. Şamilova, A., & Ayhan, N. (2022). Kullanımlar ve doyumlar yaklaşımı çerçevesinde yaşlı bireylerin sosyal medya kullanım davranışı örüntüleri. Uluslararası Medeniyet Çalışmaları Dergisi, 7(2), 106-122. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7472394
56. Thomas, l. & Bhat, S. (2022). A comprehensive overview of telegram services - A case study. International Journal of Case Studies in Business, IT and Education (IJCSBE), 6(1), 288-301. https://doi.org/10.47992/IJCSBE.2581.6942.0165
57. Tuncer, N. (2021). Aileler ve öğretmenler arasındaki iletişim için güncel bir uygulama: WhatsApp grubu örneği. Trakya Eğitim Dergisi, 11(2), 1037-1063. https://doi.org/10.24315/tred.811566
58. Turkish Statistical Institute (2025, February). Address-based population registration system results. https://www.tuik.gov.tr
59. United Nations. (2023). UN report: Managing an aging global population amid increasing retirees and healthcare services. United Nations Türkiye.
60. Xiong, J., & Zuo, M. (2019). How does family support work when older adults obtain information from mobile internet? Information Technology & People, 32(6), 1496-1516. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-02-2018-0060
61. Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2018). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri (11. baskı). Seçkin Yayıncılık.
62. Yıldız, İ., & Demir, M. (2024). Bir iletişim aracının sosyal medyaya dönüşümü: İletişimde metamorfoz (WhatsApp özelinde). Digital Communication Journal, 13, 50-70. https://www.dicoj.com/Makaleler/1392275795_ilkay_yildiz.pdf
63. Yılmazsoy, B., Kahraman, M., & Köse, U. (2020). Negative aspects of using social networks in education: A brief review on WhatsApp example. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 3(1), 69-90. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.662746
64. Zhang, L., Yang, X., & Jung, E., H. (2023). When does WeChat usage decrease loneliness? A panel study examining the moderating roles of age and perceived network supportiveness. Social Science Computer Review, 41(2), 438-460. https://doi.org/10.1177/08944393221103498