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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Amelia Hill

Older people using TikTok to defy ageist stereotypes, research finds

The paper looked at 1,382 videos posted by TikTok users aged 60 years who had between 100,000 to 5.3 million followers. Their videos had been viewed over 3.5bn times.
The paper looked at 1,382 videos posted by TikTok users aged 60 years who had between 100,000 to 5.3 million followers. Their videos had been viewed over 3.5bn times. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

Older TikTok users are using the online platform, regarded as the virtual playground of teenagers, to defy ageist stereotypes of elderly people as technophobic and frail.

Research has found increasing numbers of accounts belonging to users aged 60 and older with millions of followers. Using the platform to showcase their energy and vibrancy, these TikTok elders are rewriting expectations around how older people should behave both on and off social media.

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