Turkish “Young-Old” Adults’ Self Presentation and Impression Management Tactics on Social Networking Sites

Abstract

Today, the usage rates of social networking sites are increasing globally, with different age groups using social media. This study aims to focus on how the users aged 65 - 74 are presenting themselves on social media, as well as their daily online habits on social media. Within the scope of this study, online behaviors of older adults on social networking sites were discussed based on Goffman’s dramaturgy theory. In this context, in-depth interviews were completed with 25 participants and the findings were analyzed with descriptive analysis. The results of the research showed that older adults’ self presentations on social media are dominated mostly by their “fears” in terms of getting punished by the political power, being excluded from society and to be deceived by some groups. They use the impression management tactics of ingratiation, exemplification and self-promotion with their digital identity.