Guest Editor: Mireia Fernández-Ardèvol, Sakari Taipale

Special issue of Mobile Media & Communication

Volume 14 Issue 1, January 2026  (It is now the current issue)

This special issue of Mobile Media & Communication advances research on mobile communication and aging. It is framed as a navigation from theories to empirical frescoes, aiming "to bring into discussion various theories that help unravel the empirical reality of mobile communication in later life in its many colors, shades, and nuances.” (p.1). 

The 12 contributions take a broad approach, analyzing not only mobile devices (hardware) and digital spaces but also social, cultural, spatial, and future aspects of mobile communication. 

Introduction:

Fernández-Ardèvol, M., & Taipale, S. (2026). Mobile communication and later life: From theories to empirical frescoes. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251398570  [Free access]

Contributions (alphabetical order):

Carlo, S., & Diodati, F. (2026). Ageing and Mobile Phones: Tactical Uses/Nonuses in postpandemic Italy. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 89-107. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251359072

Chakraborty, D., & Garg, C. (2026). Navigating Technology: Mobile Media Usage and Reticence Among Older Adults in Rural India. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 31-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251378548 

Dalmer, N. K., Katz, S., Marshall, B. L., & Ellison, K. L. (2026). Connections, negotiations, and tensions: Talking tech with older adults. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 190-210. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251394803 [Open Access]

Erdenebat, A., & Veloso da Silva, A. (2026). Digital ageism? Analyzing women's depictions on TikTok through user-generated content under# aging and# antiaging. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 230-251. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251350900 [Open Access]

Fortunati, L., Farinosi, M., & de Luca, F. (2026). Aging in the digital era: A study on Italian older adults’ complex relationship with mobile phones. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 127-148. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251353639

Gan, J. (2026). “It's Great to have Fun While Earning Small Money”: Gamified Apps in the Everyday Lives of Older Adults in Shanghai. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 50-67. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251386226 [Open Access]

Hänninen, R., & Tiihonen, S. (2026). Navigating mobile technologies: Older adults’ mobile, digital, and non-digital strategies for enhancing subjective well-being. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 108-126. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251348098 [Open Access]

Li, Y., & Krijnen, T. (2026). “Vlogging my lives of two homes”: Chinese Houniao and their place-making in the online–offline nexus. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 211-229. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251385038 [Open Access]

McGrane, C., & Hjorth, L. (2026). Creating speculative mobile media futures with older adults in Australia. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 170-189. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251342016 [Open Access]

Pei, X. (2026). Polymedia within constraints: Negotiating smartphone usage among socioeconomically marginalized older female adults in the Global South. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 12-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251346244 [Open Access]

Rosenberg, D. (2026). Perceived health-related mobile device usefulness in older adults: Results from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 149-169. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251353644 

Wagner, S. (2026). Relational digital agency: An everyday life study of mobile communication in nursing homes. Mobile Media & Communication, 14(1), 68-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579251379751 [Open Access]