he underlying thesis therefore (i) primarily proposed the use of online social
networking to facilitate social interactions among elder individuals and hence help reduce the
risk of social exclusion by the use of adequately designed SNS functionalities; and consequently
(ii) elaborated and suggested a set of evaluated and appropriate design principles for
online social networks targeted to elderly users to avoid elderly demographic segments to be
excluded from this novel form of computer-mediated communication and online social interaction
as well as current and prospective developments in online social networking. Hence the
originality of the conducted research constitutes in the attempt to identify aspects of social
interaction that can enhance the lives of elderly people; and investigation on how SNS can be
used to successfully address (social) needs among elderly users to potentially generate positive
effects on elderly people’s overall satisfaction with life and their subjective well-being.
More specifically, the thesis further aimed for broadening the understanding of the impediments
faced by elderly users and means of overcoming them through appropriate functionalities
and user design of SNS