A digital way to age gracefully

Xiaohongshu's digital space “Spring in Chunxuanmao” stands out for its content in which older people in their 70s and 80s share valuable life lessons and insights.

Chen Zhuo, the program's director, said that although the videos feature older people, their main audience is the younger generation. “We want people to be inspired by our content and live life to the fullest.”

The newfound popularity of older participants as online personalities underscores Chen Zhuo's belief in democratizing the benefits of media and technology for everyone, regardless of age.

A recent report from QuestMobile on China's mobile internet landscape showed that the country had 1.19 billion monthly active mobile internet users as of September 2022. The report highlights a notable trend: the continued expansion of use by older people. As of September 2022, people aged 46 and older accounted for more than a third of the user base and emerged as a key driver of user growth.

Chen Zhuo envisions a future where seniors can use the Internet to explore new opportunities and take advantage of digital connectivity.

To achieve this goal, he has asked the retirement home's caregivers to help seniors keep up with technological advances such as smartphone use and stay active in the ever-evolving digital landscape. “Seniors should never be left out,” said Chen Zhuo.

Wang Qiaozhi contributed to this story.

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