I am a student of Bournemouth University currently studying BA Marketing.

As part of my studies, I am conducting research into how the over 55s use social media to maintain relationships. The questionnaire will take approximately 10 mins to complete and all of your results will be confidential. In order to participate in the study, I would ask that you use a social media account such as Facebook, Twitter or any other account to interact with relatives, friends and social groups, this DOES NOT INCLUDE EMAIL ACCOUNTS. I would also ask that you provide an email address as there is a possibility I may need to contact those who completed the survey to ensure my results are genuine. Your Email Address: Please highlight answers that apply. 1. Can you identify these social media sites? If you cannot identify some of the icons then please leave the number blank.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6:

2. What social media sites do you, or have you used, to maintain relationships between relatives, friends and social groups? Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr Pinterest LinkedIn Google+ Foursquare Other (Please Specify):

3. If you were only permitted to choose ONE social media site, which would you choose? ..

4. Referring to Question 2, why would you pick this one social media site? ............................................................................................................................

5. How often do you use certain social media sites? Please put an X in all boxes that apply. Several times a day Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ YouTube Flickr Pinterest Foursquare Once a day Several times a week Once a week Several times a month Less than once a month

6. Who do you keep in contact with using social media sites? Friends Relatives Colleagues Social Groups Other (Please specify):

7. What kind of information do you share over social networking sites? Pictures Letters Conversations Videos Knowledge Dates and Times Other (Please specify):

8. Has using social media impacted on the amount of face to face contact with friends, relatives and social groups? Yes No

9. If YES to Question 8 [If answered NO then proceed to Question 10], has social media platforms increased or decreased the amount of time spent face to face? Increased Decreased

10. Does the use of social media help manage face to face contact? Yes No

jessica.smith1503@gmail.com

11. Where do you use social media? At Home At Work On the move Other (Please specify):

12. How did you come to be on social media sites? Please give an answer on relating to each social media account you use. ..

13. Please answer the following statements using Facebook as the subject, applying a scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree. Please try not to answer Neither Agree nor Disagree wherever possible. Place an X in the box that applies.

Strongly Agree I find Facebook hard to use I use the option of Facebook chat when online I read everyones statuses in my news feed I post pictures and videos onto my profile I only use Facebook to find new friends If I say I am attending a Facebook event, I attend in reality I created a Facebook account because I was pressured into doing so I feel I know how to use Facebook

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

14. Are you: Male Female 15. What age bracket do you fall into? 55-60 61-65 66-70 71-75 76-80 80 and above

Thank you for participating in my study, please return the questionnaire to the email address below if you completed it on the computer: jessica.smith1503@gmail.com If you have any queries regarding my study, the questions or your answers do not hesitate to contact me.