Lu Jiehua: Using Short Videos is an Important Part of Social Interaction for the Elderly
Recently, the research group of Fudan University released the Research Report on Internet Use and Internet Literacy of middle-aged and elderly people (hereinafter referred to as the "report") and organized an online discussion. Experts and scholars from Peking University, Nankai University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, East China Normal University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Xiangtan University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and other universities and research institutions discussed the use of Internet and short video, digital skills and digital literacy of middle-aged and elderly people.
The report found that middle-aged and elderly people use the Internet well and have a strong sense of self-management. At the same time, it is pointed out that rational use of Internet and short videos can help enrich the daily life of middle-aged and elderly people, enhance community integration and social participation of middle-aged and elderly people, and improve their well-being. Experts at the meeting agreed, and suggested that the state and society further strengthen digital skills training for middle-aged and elderly people, actively guide them to form healthy and benign Internet use habits, so as to give full play to the positive role of the Internet and short videos.
Lu Jiehua, a professor of sociology at Peking University, said at the conference that the new round of technological development characterized by digitalization, networking and intelligence and the aging of the population are interwoven, changing everyone's life and communication mode. The use of the Internet and Douyin has become an important way for the elderly to participate in society, and is also an important part of the current way of social communication of the elderly.
The "digital divide" for the elderly is a challenge that digital society needs to address. We need to understand the rationality and necessity of the elderly to use the Internet, and look at the problems the elderly encounter in the process of using the Internet from the perspective of development. The fundamental solution lies in the joint efforts of the state, society, enterprises, families and other parties. "We have seen that Internet companies such as Douyin have made a lot of attempts to adapt to aging. It is an important embodiment of 'technology for the good' for enterprises to assume social responsibilities and actively participate in the construction of an aged society."
In addition, Lu Jiehua also stressed the government's key role in cleaning up the Internet environment and ensuring the safety of the Internet for middle-aged and elderly people. "In particular, to address the concerns of the elderly, such as online fraud, the government needs to improve norms and standards, give necessary guidance and supervision to enterprises, jointly create a civilized and safe Internet environment, help the elderly use the Internet in a healthy way, and help the progress of the aging society."
