LinkedIn has faced criticism for releasing ageist ads that stereotype older people as unaware and uneducated in business and technology. The ads, released in November 2023, have sparked backlash from the LinkedIn community, with members calling for their removal due to their offensive nature.
The ads depict older individuals, specifically parents, as ignorant and out of touch with modern technology. One ad features an older woman struggling to understand her son's job in cloud computing, while another shows an older man lamenting his daughter's use of technical jargon.
Despite the outcry from LinkedIn users and experts in the field, the company has failed to promptly address the issue and remove the ads. This lack of action contradicts LinkedIn's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy, which aims to protect individuals from content that denigrates or incites.
Critics have pointed out that the ads perpetuate negative stereotypes about older adults and contribute to age discrimination in the workplace. The portrayal of older people as technologically inept has been deemed offensive and harmful to their employment prospects.
While some attempts were made to report the ads as inappropriate, LinkedIn's response suggested that the company saw the ads as light-hearted and not intended to cause widespread offense. However, many argue that the ads reinforce harmful ageist stereotypes and should be taken down.
The controversy surrounding LinkedIn's ageist ads highlights the importance of addressing ageism in media and promoting inclusivity and respect for individuals of all ages. By perpetuating negative stereotypes, LinkedIn risks alienating older users and hindering their opportunities for employment and inclusion in the workforce.
