THE NOBEL PRIZE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE SMARTPHONE INVENTOR : SHEDDING LIGHT ON ELDERLY SYRIAN IMMIGRANTS’ EXPERIENCES OF USING SMARTPHONE FOR INFORMATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IN GAVLE, SWEDEN

Abstract: This is a qualitative study that explores elderly Syrian immigrants’ experiences of using smartphones for information and social interaction during the coronavirus pandemic in Gavle, Sweden. The sample used in this study consists of five elderly Syrian immigrants from Gavle city. The data was collected through five semi-structured online interviews; the social capital theory was used together with previous research to analyze the results. The results show that the use of smartphones had a very important role in the social interaction of Syrian immigrants during the Coronavirus pandemic. The use of smartphones during the Coronavirus crisis reduced the negative effects of the social distancing policy, facilitated communication and interactions with family and friends, and communication with health and social services. Moreover, smartphones are a renewed source of scientific information regarding the Coronavirus pandemic worldwide. The results of this study show some simple challenges faced by this sample of elderly Syrian immigrants while using smartphones for social interactions.