This research investigates how three age groups - 18-28, 40-50, and 65+ - create and share digital content online. The study examines their motivations, skills, and preferred platforms. Interviews were conducted with 36 participants across the age groups who were already creating digital content. Preliminary findings suggest skills transfer from offline to online and close friendships sometimes form between online content sharers who meet in person.

3. Content Creation in Context Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups Content creation in the context of this project is defined as: An arrangement of visual and/or audio material that requires some element of composition or editing that has been created outside of a professional framework.

4. Digital Content Creation and Sharing Motivations “ People [...] produce their own content for self-expression and self-actualisation” (Shao, 2009:9). “ Obtaining gratification from being recognised and being able to articulate views, thoughts and experiences through content creation online are important determinants in affecting a person’s perceived empowerment” (Leung, 2009:1344). Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

7. Recent UK Survey Statistics Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

9. Communication and Distribution Channels Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups Time based Synchronous: sender and receiver are concurrently engaged in communication Asynchronous: sender and receiver are not concurrently engaged in communication Communication paradigms ‘ One-to-one’ (interpersonal) ‘ One-to-many’ (mass) ‘ Many-to-many’ (networked)

10. Age Groups & Communication Technology Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

15. Website repository Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

16. Website repository Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups

17. Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups Tim Riley – University of Westminster – Social Media: Digital content creation and sharing. A study of three age groups www.timrileydigital.com www.myphddiary.co.uk