A Study On The Identity Of Elderly Douyin Users

In the context of digitalization and aging,the Internet life of the elderly has become a topic of key concern.Short video platforms such as Tik Tok are attracting more and more audiences,which also enable the elderly to participate in the discursive practices of this group,trying to construct their own unique landscapes and present their identities to the society at large.Based on the " Spectacle/Performance Paradigm" proposed by N.Abercrombie and B.Longhurst,this paper uses in-depth interviews,participant observation,questionnaires,and documentary analysis to study the identity construction of elderly users on the Tik Tok short video platform in Xiangcheng City,Henan Province.The paper consists of four parts.The first chapter discusses the identity crisis of older people in the context of the digital era.The contradiction between "past self" and "future self","internal self" and "external self" has cut off the self-identity and caused the crisis of self-identity.In addition,the perception of "marginalized" makes it difficult for this group to make positive distinctions under social comparison,thus creating a crisis of social identity.The second chapter presents the characteristics of older Tik Tok users' performance behaviors under the empowerment of Tik Tok App based on the questionnaire research results.It is found that under media penetration,older users have typical characteristics of diffuse audience,gaining the dual identity of viewer and performer,and are able to rebuild their identity in imagination and interaction.The third chapter analyzes the strategies of identity construction of elderly Tik Tok users through in-depth interviews and participatory observation,i.e.,identity construction through symbolic modification,body narratives,interaction and imagination,and explores the characteristics of elderly Tik Tok users' identity at three levels: age identity,role identity and cultural identity.The fourth chapter analyzes the positive effects of identity construction by elderly users as well as the negative problems that arise,and finally puts forward reasonable suggestions based on the current situation of elderly users' usage.