A qualitative study on the social media practices of middle-aged and older women: The case of Bafra

This study is a qualitative research examining the social media usage practices of middle-aged and older women living in the Bafra district of Samsun from a gender perspective. The primary aim of the research is to reveal the relationship between women's social media experiences and their daily lives, identity perceptions, social roles, and patriarchal norms. In this context, the effects of social media on women's communication patterns, visibility strategies, subjective experiences, and digital security practices have been analyzed. In the study, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 33 female participants selected through sampling, and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis methods. The findings show that women mostly use social media to communicate with family members, follow current events, access religious and cultural content, spend their free time, and express themselves. A significant proportion of participants stated that social media made them visible, provided emotional support, and reduced feelings of loneliness. However, issues such as privacy violations, digital addiction, misinformation, social pressure, and the reproduction of patriarchal norms in the online environment were also prominent themes. Research findings indicate that social media usage creates a space that both reproduces and transforms women's social positions. The data obtained reveals that digital platforms are not merely a means of communication for middle-aged and older women living in rural and semi-urban areas; they also offer a multi-layered experience that influences processes of identity, belonging, social roles, visibility, and subjectification. In this context, the study makes a significant contribution to social media research by highlighting the intersection between age, gender, local culture, and digitalization.