The world needs better role models

Suggested by Marc Fernandez over 3 years ago

Role models are people who influence others by serving as examples. They are often admired by the people who emulate them. Through their perceived personal qualities, behaviors, or achievements, they can inspire others to strive and develop, even without providing direct instruction. Role models can be instrumental in developing career aspirations, educational goals, and consumer behavior.

Unfortunately, the most popular and pervasive role models today are social media influencers whose primary goal is to generate income through brand partnerships and sponsorships. This motivation often results in promoting unhealthy behavior and lacks any true positive motivational substance.

Older adults with a lifetime of experiences and stories are eager to continue finding purpose and are interested in helping others through their lived wisdom, insights, and experience yet they lack a platform with the reach to do so. Even more insidious, they face the problem of ageism as it operates in society which directly correlates age to their economic, social, and cultural marginality.

Because the market is ready: A survey of 10,565 Facebook users reported that interaction with authentic self-expression online was related to increased happiness and life

Because advertisers are ready: Tammy Tsang from AdAge writes: "Humans of all ages share similar experiences growing up – experiences that shape their values and thoughts.  Brands savvy enough to tap into this will have a powerful advantage over their competitors." 

Because technology is ready: Live streaming platforms have matured in the past few years due to the pandemic effect which pushed advances in streaming quality, security, monetization and adoption.

Because older adults are equipped and ready to be influencers: The current generation of adults reaching their 50s is the first to have had the internet and mobile devices for a good portion of their lives making them both tech-savvy and engaged. These older adults are eager to continue finding purpose and want to be agents of positive change. They are also living longer and lack opportunities to continue generating income.