Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Content analysis of elderly bloggers' pages based on social interactions and prevention of cognitive aging (Case study: Instagram)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Faezeh Taghipour

Associate Professor of Communication Sciences, Department of Social Communication Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/jss.2026.2093494.1959
Abstract
Background and aim: This study analyzed Instagram content from older adult bloggers, focusing on social interaction and cognitive activity. The primary objective was to examine how cyberspace represents the lifestyles of older adults and its role in promoting active aging and social participation.
Data and method: Using a qualitative approach, thematic analysis was conducted based on the Braun and Clarke model. The sample consisted of 12 purposively selected Instagram pages belonging to adults over 60. The 20 most recent posts from each page—including captions, hashtags, and images—were coded. Engagement metrics (likes and comments) were recorded but excluded from evaluating cognitive efficacy.
Findings: The findings revealed themes such as continuity of mental activity, learning and applying digital skills, maintaining social connections, sharing experiences, reminiscing, goal-setting and motivation, active participation in content creation, vitality and stress reduction, and attention to nutrition and self-care. These components were primarily related to the experiences and activities of the content-creating older adults themselves, representing an active lifestyle and mental engagement during old age.
Conclusion: Blogging by older adults on Instagram can provide a platform for representing cognitive activity, maintaining social interactions, facilitating digital learning, and fostering active participation in the digital space. While this content may hold communicative and educational potential for older audiences, the present study did not directly evaluate its effectiveness on cognitive performance or the prevention of cognitive impairments in viewers. Overall, these results confirm the capacity of social networks to support active aging and social participation.

Keywords

Senior blogger
continuous mental activity
memory sharing
digital senior
active lifestyle
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  • Receive Date 05 July 2026
  • Accept Date 07 October 2026
  • First Publish Date 07 October 2026
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025

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