Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends on Older Adults and Digital Communication (2005-2025)

This study aims to reveal the trends and structural patterns in the academic literature on digital communication processes among older adults. A total of 239 articles published between 2005 and 2025 in the Web of Science (WoS) database were selected based on specified inclusion/exclusion criteria and analyzed using bibliometric techniques. The data were evaluated in descriptive, performance, and scientific mapping categories using R Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software. According to the analysis results, research on digital communication has diversified in terms of content and shifted direction over time. While studies in the early years focused solely on situation analysis and the adaptation of older adults to technology, a period of maturation in terms of integration into the digital society was identified in subsequent years, and it was determined that research shifted toward a more user-centered, emotional, and ethics-oriented direction. In particular, it was found that concepts such as health communication, mental health, and privacy came to the forefront after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data obtained were discussed in the context of the relevant literature.older adultsolder adults