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

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 4 Sayı: 13, 133 - 147, 27.01.2026

Zindan Çakıcı

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

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