Edith Claydon’s Groundbreaking Work Elevates the Aging Community with Social Media
In partnership with Miss Investigate
By Thomas Ryan
Bridging Generations with Viral Videos
In a cosy living room in the heart of the United Kingdom, 17-year-old Edith Claydon is helping to reshape the way generations connect. By using TikTok to showcase the personality of her 85-year old grandmother Shirley, Edith has turned their relationship into a breakout viral hit. With close to 400,000 followers and a top video amassing nearly 10 million views and 2.5 million likes, her work highlights the role social media can play in giving a voice to often-overlooked minorities.
But where did this journey start, and what motivated the teenage Edith to promote the elderly in a youth-obsessed digital universe? “I opened my TikTok account during Lockdown,” Edith remembers. “The films started as a way to stay connected with my grandmother – who was isolating – and share some of those moments with my friends and family. One of the unintended consequences of platforms like TikTok, I think, has been a widening of the generation gap – particularly with the very elderly. We’re living in a pretty ageist world – and I wanted to capture Shirley’s personality, humour and very different way of looking at things while I could. But I never imagined it would resonate as much as it has..”
The Rise of an Unexpected Influencer
A Unique Angle in a Saturated Market
In an overcrowded social media landscape packed with influencers competing for attention, Edith’s novel approach to content has struck a chord with a wide-ranging audience, and her creative use of TikTok to champion positive age representation aligns with broader industry trends favouring inclusivity. As social media platforms evolve there is now a growing emphasis on showcasing a wider array of life experiences and perspectives. Claydon’s success is testament to how engaging and impactful this inclusive strategy can be.
Insights from the Frontline
“Older adults have an awful lot more to offer my generation than we might have guessed,” says Edith. “They’ve lived through an awful lot, learned plenty of lessons and made plenty of mistakes, and they have stories and learnings that are really valuable. But those stories are being lost, because they’re almost completely excluded from the social spaces where teenagers are spending their time. But social media should be a space where everyone feels included and heard.”
Edith’s videos feature her grandmother sharing life advice, participating in fun challenges and discussing historical events from a personal viewpoint; snippets that give viewers a chance to see the world through a different generation’s eyes. “She’s actually really fun to work with,” said Edith, “and always up for trying new things. Mind you, I’m not sure she realises quite how big she’s become. When my dad tried to tell her the other day that her film had nearly 10 million views, she flat refused to believe him and told him to stop winding her up!”
One additional unanticipated benefit has been that the content has now started to generate funding. “I didn’t see that coming, to be honest,” said Claydon. “But now we’re using the proceeds to support a local charity that delivers meals and Christmas presents to elderly people living alone.”
The Future of Social Media and Inclusivity
Leading the Charge for Change
And what next? Looking ahead, Claydon envisions a future where social media is more inclusive and age-blind. She is exploring new ways to engage her audience, including potential collaborations with other influencers and organizations dedicated to promoting age diversity. “There’s so much more we can do,” she says. “Social media has the power to move dials, and I want to keep finding new ways to make that happen.”
For her next project, Edith is focussing on fostering another intergenerational connection. Along with several school friends, she volunteers to read stories and teach reading to the very young at a local state primary school. “The children respond really well to teenagers, I think. Someone closer to their own age, like an older sibling rather than a figure of authority. I’m convinced there’s an army of potential teenage volunteers out there that would do a fabulous job introducing very young children to great stories. I’m working on a TikTok idea right now to try and make it happen!”
A Lasting Legacy
But for now, she still has a few more ideas for showcasing Grandma Shirley. Reflecting on her project, Edith states, “everyone knows and can tell you quite how much the world has changed. But working with my Grandmother is a reminder that an awful lot has also stayed exactly the same, and probably always will. I want to help older people feel seen and valued. They have so much to offer, and it’s time we started celebrating them more.”
Rolling Stone UK newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this featured content