In a compelling news feature, a silver-haired knowledge vlogger named “Grandma Wu” is gaining popularity in China for her engaging physics experiments using everyday items. At the age of 73, the retired university professor has amassed over 1.72 million subscribers on Bilibili and 5.2 million followers on Douyin, China’s TikTok equivalent, becoming a prominent internet influencer in science education. Grandma Wu is part of the “silver-haired knowledge vlogger” group, which received the “Touching China 2022 Annual Figures” award. The group, with an average age of 77, includes academicians, retired professors, and former teachers using short videos and live broadcasts to share scientific and humanistic knowledge.
These “fashionable seniors” challenge stereotypes associated with the elderly in Chinese society, presenting a new image of twilight-age vitality and a passion for life. As China grapples with accelerated population aging, these influencers offer answers to supporting the elderly in their later years. Their vibrant lives, showcased on short video platforms, convey a message of support, happiness, and security in old age.
Grandma Wu, who started making short videos in 2018, emphasizes the importance of inspiring curiosity in young people. In an interview, she expressed her desire to have conversations with the youth and convey enthusiasm, helping them recognize their self-worth, gain confidence, and develop a sense of responsibility. The silver-haired vloggers represent a bridge between generations, offering a unique perspective and breaking away from the seriousness of traditional classrooms.
Meanwhile, in a nursing home in Tianjin, Wang Li, known as “Bob,” a 62-year-old participant in a short drama video series, has become an internet sensation. The series, titled “Funny Things in the Funny Nursing Home,” aims to eliminate public fears and anxieties about aging and death. The content includes popularizing chemical knowledge and creating scenarios where nursing home residents, with an average age of 90, comically attend a chemistry class, causing explosions and requiring first aid.
Bob’s life took a positive turn after joining the video cast, providing him with a sense of community and newfound enjoyment. The series seeks to awaken memories of youth and help the elderly extend their social lives, reconnect with society, and combat the fear of being forgotten.
This creative trend of the silver generation is spreading in nursing homes and senior universities across various cities. Nursing homes are introducing trendy courses such as drone piloting, video editing, and street dancing, challenging stereotypes and promoting a more vibrant elderly community.
As China faces the challenges of a rapidly aging population, efforts are underway to establish an elderly-friendly society. The government is working on a comprehensive healthcare insurance system, encouraging the silver economy, investing in elderly education resources, and fostering an open and diverse social culture. The aim is to ensure the well-being and dignity of the elderly in the midst of demographic changes.
Professor Li Chenghua from Nanjing University highlights that addressing population aging is integral to Chinese modernization. The elderly contribute to and benefit from the modernization process, and the government has been actively promoting solutions to meet their practical needs in areas such as healthcare, elderly care, and social participation.
The news feature underscores China’s commitment to building an age-friendly society and challenges prevailing stereotypes associated with the elderly. Through the endeavors of silver-haired knowledge vloggers and trendy elders, a vision of a more inclusive and vibrant society for all ages is taking shape.