As the proportion of the aging population continues to rise in China, challenges are gradually surfacing among the elderly, particularly regarding media usage and the maintenance of their mental health. Recently, a “4-together” teacher and student social practice team from School of Journalism and Communication, NKU, carried out a special activity in Tianjin, focusing on the theme “Research on the Impact of Media Usage on the Mental Health of the Aging Population in the Context of Chinese Path to Modernization.” Led by Ma Changhong, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the School, along with teachers Yu Mengli, Li Weijia, and Gao Lei, this initiative aimed to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and align with the proactive national strategy in response to population aging.
Meeting Silver-Haired Group to Unveil Current Media Usage Landscape
From June 24 to 25, the team conducted in-depth research in the NKU North Village, Southwest Village, and Longxingli Neighborhood, with the strong support of NKU’s Retirement Office. Yu Mengli and Li Weijia elaborated on the purpose of the initiative. The team gathered candid feedback from the elderly regarding their mobile phone usage and its impact on their mental health through focus groups and one-on-one interviews.
Team members sat down with the aged people to discuss various topics, from using mobile applications to identifying false information. They engaged in conversations to better understand the seniors’ smart phone usage, the challenges faced, and their mental health in daily life. Interviewees Zhang Jianhua and Li Huiru mentioned that the students shared a wealth of useful information. They were looking forward to further training given by the team.
Throughout the research, Zhang Lan, Director of NKU’s Retirement Office, and Yang Lihua, Deputy Director of the Office, provided a detailed overview of NKU’s efforts and plans aimed at supporting retired faculty members. Zhang Lan emphasized that NKU has consistently prioritized the needs of retirees, continuously exploring new service models for the elderly and striving to enhance their happiness and sense of belonging. She stated that the emerging “silver-haired economy” necessitates more targeted and thoughtful care for the elderly. Zhang highlighted that, in this context, NKU’s organizations, such as the Alumni Association and the Working Committee for Caring for the Next Generation, are in collaboration and looking forward to jointly improving the quality of life for retired faculty members and alumni.
Engaging with Sub-District and Neighborhood to Define Future Goals
The Jingxin Garden Party and Mass Service Center in Haitang Sub-District supports party organizations within its jurisdiction in hosting activities and serving both party members and the general public. It offers a range of convenient services for residents, including reviews, approvals, and public services. Additionally, the Center hosts regular cultural activities. It is also home to various artistic societies for seniors, including a chorus, a martial arts club, a dance group, and a painting and calligraphy association.
With strong support from the sub-district, the social practice team visited the neighborhood on July 6 and engaged in in-depth discussions with the person in charge. Neighborhood Choral Director Huang Yuling, a former government officer who has been retired for years, shared her insights when talking about the chorus releasing videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. She expressed that social media has enriched the spiritual lives of the elderly by providing them with a wealth of cultural content. However, Huang also noted that seniors may become overly attached to their phones, highlighting the prevalence of low-quality and misleading information online.
Following the interview, the team members visited various offline spaces, including the “Haitang Reading Room,” the painting and calligraphy room, and the gaming parlor within the Jingxin Garden Neighborhood. Through observation and communication, the team members gained a deeper understanding of the lives and mentality of the elderly. They also learned firsthand about the efforts made by the Party and Mass Service Center in enriching the spiritual and cultural lives of senior residents, and promoting harmony within the neighborhood.
During the discussion section, students remarked that this research not only deepens their understanding of the lives of the elderly but also helps define the direction for future targeted digital literacy education, mental health coaching, and cultural activities. They said this knowledge will enable them to offer suggestions and solutions for building a mental health and cognitive services system for the senior population.
Liu Yiran, a team member, expressed her commitment to paying continuous attention to the needs of the elderly. Aiming to document their stories through both photography and writing, she’d love to share positive narratives with society and help foster a more harmonious, inclusive, and intelligent age-friendly community.
