Self presentation and impression management tactics of young-old individuals on social networking sites

This study focuses on the self-presentations and impression management tactics of internet users aged 65-74, defined as "young-old" individuals, on social networking sites. Social networking sites, which are a widely used sub-type of social media tools, provide users with the opportunity to express themselves, communicate, receive news, spend time and present themselves. The internet and social network usage rates of elderly individuals are increasing day by day, and social networking sites open up a space of expression for elderly users. Within the scope of the study, self-presentation and impression management tactics of young-old people on social networking sites were discussed based on the classifications of Goffman's dramaturgy theory and impression management tactics put forward by various theorists. On the other hand, in recent years, especially in the Covid-19 Pandemic period, it has been recognized that ageism discourses have increased and age discrimination against elderly individuals has come to the fore both in society and in social networking sites. The other aim of the research is; to have an idea about the reflection of the concept of ageism and the perception of old age built in the society on the attitudes and behaviors of elderly individuals on social networking sites. In this context, in-depth interviews were completed with 25 young-old social network users within the scope of the research carried out with qualitative research methods and the findings obtained after the interviews with semi-structured questions were analyzed with descriptive analysis. The results of the research are that young-old individuals tend to present their honest selves in their social network performances, but they protect themselves by developing an "ideal self that is compatible with the society", although they claim to show themselves "as they are". Young-old individuals cannot go beyond social norms and expectations attributed to their age groups with codes of "shame", "sin", "inappropriateness" and "fear" and they feel under the influence of social pressure and almost inhibit their own selves in their sharing. The result of the study also shows that although they are not familiar with the concept of ageism, they apply ageism to young-old individuals and are exposed to ageist discourses by their relatives.