Our digital elders: The generational wisdom of social media

Ageism remains a persistent challenge in our society, where reverence for older generations is often overlooked. However, recent studies indicate a growing trend: Younger generations are increasingly viewing older creators as valuable sources of wisdom and inspiration, and they are following creators to learn from them.

Lyn Slater has become an icon of "anti-anti-aging" for her young female fans. "What I hear from these young people is, 'You're so cool, we want to be like you,'" Slater said in an AARP article. "They don't want to reject aging. They just don't want to get old in the way that's been presented to them in the past."

[Image: Lyn Slater's Instagram account @iconaccidental]

Former fashion exec Gym Tan, whose largest demographic is 25-to-34-year-old women, has shared a similar experience. "The younger girls who follow me feel like, ‘Oh, my God, we want to be like you when we’re 60!’” she said in the Wall Street Journal. Last year Abercrombie & Fitch sold out of an $88 black dress after she wore it on TikTok.

Mick Peterson, 68, of the Old Gays, notes a shift in the LGBTQ+ community's perception of aging as well. "It used to be when you turned 30 in the gay community, you fell off the map. It's OK to age," he said. The Old Gays have 750k followers on Instagram, half of whom are under 29.

According to the American Society on Aging, 78% of Gen Z and Millennials said they gain valuable knowledge from content produced by older adults. A Harris Poll further supports this trend, revealing that two-thirds (66%) of Gen Z and Millennials enjoy watching videos featuring older adults.