Staying Connected: Unveiling Digital Literacy Through WhatsApp Everyday Practices Among Older Adults in Malaysia

This qualitative study explores how older adults in Malaysia use WhatsApp in their daily lives and its impact on their digital literacy. Through observations of three WhatsApp groups and individual interviews, digital literacy is examined as a social practice intertwined with interactions and cultural contexts. The study introduces ‘affinity space’ to explain how digital literacy develops within these groups. Findings reveal that older adults acquire and refine digital skills through social engagement, fostering inclusivity, autonomy, and participation. Ultimately, the study highlights digital literacy as a dynamic, socially embedded process shaping older adults’ meaningful engagement with technology.