Douyin App Domestication In The Lives Of Older Adults

The article analyzes the domestication of Douyin App among older adults at age 50 to 65 in author’s hometown,Jianghan oilfield,Hubei Province.As Douyin a popular app for older adults there,the research finds out this age group’s practices of how to use Douyin in their everyday life through questionnaire,observation,in-depth interview and qualitive analysis.The article use the theory of domestication,which was first indicated by Silverstone in 1992,and “social complement” hypothesis as a support.Thus,the findings of the study are divided into three parts.The first is a discussion of the four stages of domestication by older adults.Through four stages that are both distinct and intersecting,users gradually embed Douyin in their daily space and time.Douyin App enters into personal life through Commodification and Appropriation.And Objectification is realized in the triple space: users’ placement of the app in their cell phones,the scenarios where they use Douyin in real life,display of real life space in short videos and the virtual scenarios constructed by live streaming.On the other hand,in Incorporation,order adults put Douyin into their timeline and command more functions of the app.This process shows the creativity and agency of older users.Conversion helps the older adults connect to the public culture from their personal life.Second,there are four patterns to describe users’ different behaviors during the domestication process,including close,preferred,restrained and estranged domestication.In the close and preferred domestication,users are generally satisfied with the app and use it as ritual.In the restrained domestication,users were initially enthusiastic and motivated,but later reduced their use due to dissatisfaction.In the estranged domestication,users are less concerned about the app and only use it occasionally.Third,social compensation and domestication process shape each other.In particular,the influence of strong ties on the domestication process is significant to many respondents.Social compensation is also reflected in getting coping resources,such as social skills and emotional management.