Investigating the social connections of older handicraft vloggers on the social media platform

What is it about?

Social connections are essential for healthy ageing, and technologies now make it possible for people from different age groups to form social connections. Many recent studies aim to assist older adults in building social connections through the use of technologies. However, existing research focuses on Western social media platforms, with limited knowledge of how other popular social media sites are used by older adults. In this study, we interviewed four older people who share handicraft videos on Bilibili, a popular social platform in China, and analysed 120 comments left on their videos. Our qualitative analysis highlights the social connections formed by older handicraft vloggers on the Bilibili. We concluded by discussing two key lessons: 1) social media can be a valuable platform for older adults to share cultural knowledge; and 2) creating interest-based online communities could provide more opportunities for building friendships, community belonging, and societal engagement in later life.

Featured Image

Photo by Hoyoun Lee on Unsplash

Photo by Hoyoun Lee on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We conducted interviews with four senior handicraft vloggers and gathered 120 video comments from these four older handicraft vloggers’ videos. We conducted a qualitative analysis of the data to better understand how older handicraft vloggers and audience members acquired emotional support through vlogging, how older handicraft vloggers inspire public interest and gain new knowledge, strengthened close relationships with relatives and friends, as well as promoted digital skills and contribution to society. Through this research, we learned lessons that social media tools can be valuable as cultural knowledge-sharing platforms for older adults, and there are opportunities to create interest-based online communities in the future where older adults’ contributions are highly valued.