The “Homogenization” Internet Image and Potential Dilemmas from the Perspective of Active Aging
Abstract
In recent years, the proportion of the elderly group has been an essential part of Internet users in China. At present, it is obvious to see the growth of the elderly users on the Internet. Under such an emerging background, research on the image of elderly groups (especially silver-haired celebrities) is booming. Current mainstream analyses have constructed a specific portrayal of the elderly: breaking age-related limitations and conventions and bravely embracing new things. However, such a perception might come with the potential for homogenization of those online images, and it may also overlook the dilemmas faced by the elderly group. To explore the above issues, this study employed a mixed method of content analysis and small-sample questionnaire survey. It conducted statistical analysis on the popular content of silver-haired celebrities on platforms, such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu, and used valid questionnaires to examine whether homogenization exists and whether this phenomenon masks the real predicaments of the elderly. This study reveals that the challenges associated with an active aging approach do exist, but the causes leading to this situation are not singular. Commercial interests and media promotion also contributed to the emergence of this predicament.
References
- Peng, X., & Chen, Q. (2025, January 3). Research on the Consumption Characteristics and Development Trends of the Elderly Population in the Silver Economy. Fudan University Institute of Aging. https: //aging.fudan.edu.cn/contents/24/329.html
- Zhang, Y., Syed, A. A., & Megat, Y. A. imran. (2024). Self-Presentation of Elderly Internet Celebrity on Douyin in China. Studies in Media and Communication, 12(2). doi: 10.11114/smc.v12i2.6388U
- Du, M. (2023). Image Construction and Social Cognition of Chinese Silver-Haired Internet Celebrities. Journal of Linguistics and Communication Studies, 2. doi: 10.56397/JLCS.2023.12.11
- Zhong, Y. (2023). The Image of Elderly Web Celebrities on the Tiktok. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 4(1): 331–337. doi: 10.54254/2753-7048/4/20220383
- Xu, W. (2022). (Non-)Stereotypical representations of older people in Swedish authority-managed social media. Ageing and Society, 42(3), 719–740. doi: 10.1017/S0144686X20001075
- World health organization. (2002). Active Ageing A Policy Framework.
- Cao, X. (2023). Does Internet Use Promote “Active Ageing”?: A Study Based on 2016 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 4(1), 101–105. doi: 10.54097/ijeh.v4i1.1326
- Zhang, L., & Zhu, F. (2025). Research on the Construction of the Image of the Elderly Group on Douyin from the Perspective of Interactive Ritual Chains. Media Forum, 4, 13-15.
- Ou, C. (2024). The Construction and Self-Presentation of Elderly Influencers' Media Image - An Analysis Based on 10 Relevant Douyin Accounts. Screen and Media World, 113-115.
- Cruceanu, G. L., Clemente-Belmonte, S., Herrero-Sanz, R., Ayala, A., Zorrilla-Muñoz, V., Agulló-Tomás, M. S., Martínez-Miguelez, C., & Fernández-Mayoralas, G. (2023). Evaluation of Older People Digital Images: Representations from a Land, Gender and Anti-ageist Perspective. Land, 12(1), 18. https: //doi.org/10.3390/land12010018
- Fang, T., & Huang, L. (2022). "The Construction of Media Discourse by Silver-haired Internet Stars and Its Social Roots." Xinwenaihaozhe, 2, 35–39.doi: 10.16017/j.cnki.xwahz.2022.02.019
- Sun, H., and Zhang, D. (2018). New Media Presentation of Elderly People's Media Image in China: A Case Study of the Official Weibo Account of People's Daily in 2018. Media Observer, 7, 30-37. doi: 10.19480/j.cnki.cmgc.2019.07.005