"Silver Hair Swipe":Social Interactive Research On The Elderly Era Of The Digital Age

In the digital age,the lifestyle,social networking,self-presentation,and even selfperception and value pursuit of the elderly group are undergoing changes that are different from the traditional model.In the context of the digital age and ageing,this paper uses symbolic interaction theory and social network theory as the analytical framework to explore the self-presentation in the social interaction behavior of older people in the digital age,focusing on older people’s social networks and exploring the ageing practices of older people’s social interaction through observation and in-depth interview methods.The study found that,due to a combination of factors,older people show invisibility and individuality on social apps.Self-objectification drives older people’s self-gazing and self-management,constructing their "individual self";social networks construct their "relational self";and glorified bodies recreate the collective image of older people,constructing their "collective self".The triple selves of older people are in a dynamic and evolving relationship,and from them the "network self" develops.The "cyber-ego" is a new expression of the digital age.On the one hand,the real self essentially constrains the online self,while on the other hand,the online self can extend the real self.The convenience and inter-temporal nature of the internet greatly facilitates interaction between older people and their close friends,and this interaction is better at maintaining their interpersonal relationships.In addition to this,the delayed,virtual and physically absent nature of online interaction gives older people greater control over the process of interaction.At the same time,the impact of the internet on older people’s interpersonal relationships shows a mixture of alienation and expansion.On the one hand,the imbalance of interpersonal interactions in the Internet and the frequent online interactions leading to the neglect of real interactions can easily lead to alienation of interpersonal relationships;on the other hand,the Internet has increased the number of weak relationships older people have,expanding their social circle to a certain extent.However,as there is less interaction with weak relationships in the Internet,the Internet has a limited effect on the expansion of interpersonal relationships.The development of digital technology has had an impact on intergenerational relationships,access to public services and social participation of older people.On the one hand,the Internet is constantly changing the traditional ways,scope and fields of interaction;on the other hand,older people are still digitally disadvantaged in today’s society,and the digital trap,digital divide and digital access "aphasia" make it difficult for them to keep up with the digital wave,which ultimately leads to an embarrassing situation of digital exclusion.