Verbal Claim vs. Actual Usage of Social Media: A Case Study of Indians Aged 50 Years and Above

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Abstract

Studies have revealed how millennials use social networking sites (SNS) but users aged 50 years and above have not been studied by SNS researchers in India. This paper attempts to study the verbal claim and actual content created by Indians’ aged 50 years and above on Facebook (Facebook, hereafter referred to as the “Social Media” or “SM”, is restricted by the Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor) using a comparative research design. The study was carried out by selecting one hundred profiles of Monthly Active Users (MAU) of Social Media (SM) qualifying the age criteria. Empirical evidence for comparison was drawn by conducting: a. guided telephonic interview to know MAU’s claimed SM usage and b. quantitative content analysis to identify MAU’s actual SM activity. The results show that the participant’s claims of their SM activity do not support their actual usage of the platform. The variables studied and compared include the ‘source’, ‘context’ and ‘features used’ to write the content. Conclusions reveal the dilemmas and SNS usage related preferences of older age groups in India. The study highlights the need and scope for training the older generation(s) about using SNS. Such vocational training would help them conveniently adopt and use networked technologies for communication and recreational purposes.

About the authors

D. Prachi

University School of Mass Communication, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

Email: prachi2100@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3487-434X

PhD Scholar

Sector-16 C, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078, India

Chandrakant P. Singh

University School of Mass Communication, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

Email: cpsinghji@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9635-6882

Professor, UNESCO Consultant on Model Journalism Curriculum in South Asia.

Sector-16 C, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078, India

Irina I. Volkova

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: volkova-ii@rudn.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2693-1204

Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor

10 Miklukho-Maklaya St, bldg 2, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

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Copyright (c) 2022 Prachi D., Singh C.P., Volkova I.I.

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