Chapter 1: The Rise of Older Adults on TikTok

Recent research published in The Gerontologist reveals that individuals over 60 are harnessing TikTok as a platform to challenge ageism. The study examined various videos created by this demographic and found:

• Approximately 71% showcased older adults ‘Defying Age Stereotypes’ (Theme 1).
• 18% depicted them ‘Making Light of Age-Related Vulnerabilities’ (Theme 2).
• 11% involved older individuals ‘Calling out Ageism’ (Theme 3).

This trend raises an interesting question: why is this unexpected? In my upcoming book, When I Get Old I Plan To Be A Bitch, I argue that we often confuse “age” with “cohort group.”

The traits typically associated with aging are often influenced by cultural context and the experiences of a specific generation rather than purely chronological age.

When analyzing age cohorts, it’s essential to consider their historical context.

For instance, a woman who is 60 in 2022 was born in either 1961 or 1962. She likely has no memory of the day Kennedy was assassinated and graduated from college around 1983. The year after her graduation, Apple released its iconic Super Bowl advertisement proclaiming that “1984 won’t be like 1984.”

During her entry into the workforce, most positions required the use of computers. I completed my Ph.D. in 1986, publishing my dissertation via a computer. It was the era when universities started providing computers to newly hired faculty. Meanwhile, my MBA peers were adapting to desktop computers as their administrative support began to phase out.

It's clear that one's technological proficiency cannot be accurately gauged by their birth year.

As of 2022, the age for collecting Social Security benefits is 67, and the Social Security Administration anticipates users to navigate their online services.

In my local alumni association, members who graduated in the 1960s are all proficient with email.

When an “older” individual struggles with technology, it often indicates they were employed in fields that didn’t necessitate computer use, making age a non-factor in this context.

Many of us can recall a time when we relied on extensive paper manuals. I distinctly remember the learning curve associated with new job software.

The instructor declared, “No manuals.” Instead, we were encouraged to seek online resources.

Today, I navigate various software tools, including ConvertKit for email campaigns, Podia for managing my virtual offerings, Notion for drafting my upcoming book, LeadPages for landing pages, WordPress for my websites, Libsyn for podcasting, and Canva for graphic design, among others.

I approach learning new software by diving right in, and if it doesn’t suit my needs, I simply look for alternatives.

I also believe my mission is to keep help desk employees entertained. It’s not unusual for me to inquire about how to perform a task and receive a response like, “See that little blue button on the left?”

One of my colleagues jokingly remarked, “I’m sure they have a card with your name on it.”

That’s perfectly fine with me; I keep them on their toes.

Catharine “Cathy” Goodwin, a former college professor, is now a prominent online marketing consultant, storyteller, and strategist. In her Medium channel, she discusses topics related to healthcare, psychology, and age-related stereotypes.

Cathy’s book, When I Get Old I Plan To Be A Bitch, is set to release in July 2022. It offers a humorous take on aging, featuring chapters with titles like, “I Ain’t Miss Congeniality,” “Don’t Send Me To Prison and Call It A Party,” and “Take This Pill and Shove It.” Click here to be notified when it becomes available.

Chapter 2: Bridging the Generational Technology Gap

Section 2.1: The Cultural Context of Aging

Content discussing how cultural and historical contexts shape our understanding of aging...

Subsection 2.1.1: Technology and Its Role in Aging