Paper Title
Information and Communication Technology Patterns of Seniors in Metropolitan Bangkok, Thailand
Abstract
The evolution of connectedness through Information and Communication Technologies enhance opportunities for interpersonal communication in older users by linking people and their lives, making it easier to maintain social relationships. The objective of this study is to explore the changing communication patterns in Bangkok’s senior community, specifically looking at social networking sites as LINE and Facebook. We recruited a purposive sample of 10 semi-structured interviewees over 60 years old in Bangkok who are active and independently mobile. The samples were sourced from locations where seniors have social activities such as a stock trading room, an informal community center, and a sports and activities club. We find that seniors preferred to use both SNSs and a phone call in order to communicate with family members or friends rather than other method. They still prefer face to face meetings within their neighborhood. Due to the limitation of the inability and slow learning curve in smart phone feature and applications, the seniors are capable of using less than the essential functions and a general perception that using technology is difficult. By reducing these limitations Information and Communication Technology and Social Networking Sites have the potential to support communication for seniors and to enhance their ability to maintain social relationships.
Keyword - Social Network or Social Media, Information and Communication, Older or Senior, Internet.