Abstract
Purpose – Research into older adults’ use of social media remains limited. Driven by increasing digitalisation in China, we focus on Chinese older adults (aged 60 to 75) use of WeChat.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used a qualitative interpretive approach and interviewed Chinese older adults to uncover their social practices of WeChat use in everyday life.
Findings – By using social practice theory (SPT), the paper unfolds Chinese older adults’ social practices of WeChat use in everyday life and reveals how they adopt and resist the drastic changes in Chinese society.
Originality – The study contributes to new understandings of social practice theory from technology use by emphasising the dynamic characteristics of its three elements. We synthesise both adoptions and resistance in SPT and highlight the importance of understanding three elements interdependently within specific contexts, which are conditioned by structure and agency.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used a qualitative interpretive approach and interviewed Chinese older adults to uncover their social practices of WeChat use in everyday life.
Findings – By using social practice theory (SPT), the paper unfolds Chinese older adults’ social practices of WeChat use in everyday life and reveals how they adopt and resist the drastic changes in Chinese society.
Originality – The study contributes to new understandings of social practice theory from technology use by emphasising the dynamic characteristics of its three elements. We synthesise both adoptions and resistance in SPT and highlight the importance of understanding three elements interdependently within specific contexts, which are conditioned by structure and agency.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Information Technology & People |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 15 Sep 2023 |