Grandfluencers: the rebellion of the elderly that sweeps social networks

Older adults

are called

The term arises from the combination of "grand" (prefix used in English for the word grandfather) and "influencer".

While the content that abounds on

and

tends to go hand in hand with youth, these people who are in their sixties and over show that other types of profiles are possible and that they can be very popular.

the new rebels

“The main thing in older influencers is that kind of rebellion of not conforming to what is socially established.

Social networks have given voice and image to people who understand that age is not defining them, that they have a lot to give, that they can be references and that we are living in a society where age is no longer a limiting factor," he told

, doctor and master's degree in gerontology.

For Bernardini, grandfluencers "rebel against rules that say that after a certain age people are left out of a system." Photo illustration Shutterstock.

What is remarkable about these people, he added, is that "

, they rebel against social norms that say that after a certain age people are left out of a system."

The popularity of these profiles, according to him, lies in the fact that "people see a reflection of what is possible."

However, the professional (on Instagram, @doctorbernardini) clarified that it is key that this inspiration towards the other is accompanied by the recognition of one's own limits.

“Not all people are prepared to climb a mountain, to run a marathon or to skydive.

Today the new longevity is not being an influencer with thousands of followers or being abandoned in a residence.

The new longevity is everything in between.”

“We have to talk about longevity”

"As we get older, society not only does not provide us with opportunities but also does not educate us to maintain affective ties," said Bernardini. Photo illustration Shutterstock.

Bernardini emphasized that "today the system has to adapt to a society different from that of the twentieth century" and that, within this framework, it is essential to pay attention to the elderly.

"We have to talk about longevity, which has to do with the way in which each one can manage that passage of time," he said.

Along these lines, he highlighted the work of granfluencers who "position themselves from fashion, physical activity and, basically, from non-traditional issues."

And he mentioned as an example “

in the kitchen, a leading chef in our country;

, a 63-year-old retiree who is touring Patagonia on a motorcycle;

and

, from Bahía Blanca, who travels the world alone with her bicycle”.

“As we get older, society not only does not provide us with opportunities, but also does not educate us on what it means to maintain affective or emotional ties.

The quantity and quality of these links are transformed throughout life, just as many things are transformed.

Social networks, for many people have become means of communication;

but you have to be careful, because one can have many followers and feel very lonely.

Many followers does not mean connection, communication or affection, ”she explained.

Alice Burnowicz

Alicia Burnowicz, 63, aboard her motorcycle (Photo Instagram @ali_burno).

 “The adventure of living on a motorcycle at the age of 63”, describes

on her Instagram profile.

The woman based in Bariloche has been traveling for four years aboard her motorcycle, a decision she made after her retirement.

"The idea, beyond my passion, is to show that

," the woman said on her Instagram account.

There she usually receives messages from users who identify themselves, congratulate her and encourage her to follow that path.

In four years Alicia Burnowicz traveled more than 65 thousand kilometers (Photo Instagram @ali_burno).

In four years, she pointed out, she covered more than 65,000 kilometers (sometimes alone and sometimes in a group).

Her traveling experience, which she began in 2019, was summed up like this in one of her posts: “Long live life! Long live dreams!

And come on, 63 years are nothing.

old gay

The Old Gays have more than 10 million followers on TikTok and another 558 thousand on Instagram (Photo Instagram @theoldgays).

Robert Reeves

(79),

(69),

(67) and

(79) have been the Old Gays since 2020 on different social networks.

They have more than 10 million followers on TikTok and another 558 thousand on Instagram.

According to what they told in several interviews, the four maintained a friendship of more than fifty years before putting together the profile where music, dance and humor are absolute protagonists.

Their success is such that on several occasions they were hired to collaborate with leading brands in several of their posts.

And celebrities such as

are among his followers.

Celebrities such as Rihanna, Jessica Alba, Rosie O'Donnell and Drew Barrymore follow The Old Gays (Photo Instagram @theoldgays).

His secret, perhaps, is to break down all the prejudices that exist around the elderly.

Along these lines, in dialogue with the New York Times, Reeves assured: “As we reach old age, what is expected is that you move to a nursing home, and many older people accept that lifestyle.

What we are doing, through our friendships and mutual support, is changing the course of the way one lives life."

Helen Ruth Elam

Helen Ruth Elam is 94 years old (Photo Instagram @baddiewinkle).

At 94,

(also known as Baddiewinkle or Baddie Winkle) has more than 3 million followers on Instagram.

"I don't see the haters," says the woman from her profile photo, in direct allusion to the comments of hate and violence that abound on social networks.

“I have been trying to get over the death of my son and my husband for many years,” Helen told The Telegraph years ago.

“I had a very sad life, but I had to keep going and be strong for my daughter, my five grandchildren and my three great-grandchildren.”

And that's how her character emerged in 2014, defiant and carefree of hers, hand in hand with one of her great-granddaughters, who suggested they take a photo together to post on the web.

The viralization was not long in coming and gave life to his own account.

Since then, the woman has not been afraid of posing sexy and funny.

This also served for brands of makeup, clothing, dating applications, drinks and more to choose her to campaign on her networks.

"I don't feel old, I've never felt that way," said Helen Ruth Elam (Photo Instagram @baddiewinkle).

"

," said the grandfluencer.

look also

Sexuality in older adults: myths, infantilization and invisibility

Falling in love at 50: lessons about stereotypes and affective responsibility