Mobile as Lived-Experience Across the Generations

• In Event: Mobile Compared to Immobile Communication

Abstract

While younger adults use more mobile social media than older adults, both groups anchor daily social interactions across time and geography. A four-year qualitative study of younger and older adults’ social media and mobile use is presented based on 190 interviews from a grounded theory analysis. This study explores social media across two generational categories: Millennials or young adults (ages 19 to 34) and older adults (ages 35 to 64). The latter category encompasses Gen Xers 34-45; Young Boomers 46-55; and Older Boomers 56-64. A major theme is hyper-mobility “I check-in; therefore, I am” that offers an ontological shift for Millennials. Subordinate themes are for Millennials are geo-tagging and ubiquitous use of mobile devices.
For older adults, mobile connections are more task oriented, restricted in time or place, and do not represent an ontological shift.

Authors

• Linda Gallant, Emerson College

• Gloria M Boone, Suffolk University