Online Social Networks for Older Adults: Access & Culture
This paper reviews two research articles examining online social networking among older adults. The first study, by Michailidou, Parmaxi, and Zaphiris (2014), investigates cultural differences in how older adults in the UK and Cyprus perceive and use online social communities, highlighting the role of family bonds and western design conventions. The second study, by Jaeger and Xie (2008), addresses barriers older adults face in accessing online communities—including financial and technical obstacles—and argues for policy-driven, accessible web design standards such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Together, the articles underscore the need for inclusive, culturally responsive online platforms that support older adults' participation, cognitive development, and access to information.
- Introduction: Overview of online social networks and study purpose
- Cultural Effects of Online Social Networking for Older Adults: UK and Cyprus cultural differences in older adult networking
- Accessibility, Policy, and Benefits of Online Communities: Barriers, benefits, and policy needs for older adult access
- Conclusion: Synthesis of cultural and accessibility findings
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper organizes its review around two clearly distinct studies, giving each article dedicated analytical attention before synthesizing their contributions in the conclusion.
- It incorporates a direct quotation from one of the reviewed sources to support a specific policy claim, demonstrating appropriate use of textual evidence.
- The conclusion neatly mirrors the introduction, reinforcing the paper's dual focus on cultural differences and accessibility policy.
Key academic technique demonstrated
This paper demonstrates a comparative literature review approach. Rather than treating two sources as interchangeable support for a single thesis, the writer presents each article's argument on its own terms—summarizing its claims, evidence, and implications—then allows the two studies to complement each other thematically. This is a useful model for short review assignments that require students to synthesize multiple sources without collapsing their distinct contributions.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief introduction establishing the topic and purpose. Two body paragraphs follow—one per reviewed article—each summarizing the study's argument, findings, and relevance. A direct quotation from Jaeger and Xie grounds the policy discussion. A short concluding paragraph ties both articles together, and a reference list closes the paper in APA format. Total length is appropriate for an undergraduate review assignment.
Introduction
Online social networks have become among the fastest tools for sharing information. An increasing number of people have turned to online social networks, and older adults are no exception—many have adopted these platforms to broaden their knowledge and maintain social connections. The objective of this paper is to explore online social networks as they relate to older adults by reviewing two research articles. The first article examines differences in online social networking platforms between the UK and Cyprus, while the second discusses policy approaches to help older people gain increased access to online networking.
Cultural Effects of Online Social Networking for Older Adults
Michailidou, Parmaxi, and Zaphiris (2014) investigate the cultural effects of online social networking for older people. The authors argue that computer use has increased among older adults because this group has taken advantage of online social networks to communicate with peers and seek social support. Their study enhanced understanding of how online communities have become conceptualized virtual communities that assist users in sharing interests through social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
Michailidou, Parmaxi, and Zaphiris (2014) reveal that there is a cultural difference in the perceptions of support that older adults in the UK and Cyprus receive. The online interactive design differs between the two countries: while the UK follows a western style, older people in Cyprus maintain a strong bond with family that shapes how they engage with online communities. This finding highlights the importance of culturally responsive design when developing virtual communities for older populations.
Conclusion
This paper reviewed two articles that focus on online social networking for older adults. The first article compared online social networking platforms in the UK and Cyprus, revealing that cultural differences influence the perceptions of older adults toward online networking in each country. The second article argued that policy is needed to mandate designers to build websites that accommodate the interests and accessibility needs of older people. Together, these studies underscore the importance of developing inclusive, culturally aware, and policy-supported online environments for an aging population.
References
Jaeger, P. T., & Xie, B. (2008). Developing the online community: The accessibility guidelines for persons with older adults and disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 20(1), 55–63. doi:10.1177/1044207308325997
Michailidou, E., Parmaxi, A., & Zaphiris, P. (2014). Culture effects in online social community support for older people: Experience and perceptions. Universal Access in the Information Society, 14(2), 281–293. doi:10.1007/s10209-014-0346-3
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