Bridging generations

Young people in China are actively engaging in initiatives to assist the elderly, addressing the challenges seniors face in a rapidly evolving society.

While shared bikes and power banks have become a common part of daily life, a new and heartwarming trend is emerging: the concept of "shared children".

In a video posted in July, 28-year-old vlogger Feng Xiaogang documented two days of assisting elderly individuals. Wearing a shirt that read "Shared Son" on the front and "Feel free to ask for help; I'm here to assist" on the back, Feng aimed to bridge the gap between seniors and modern technology, highlighting their struggles in today's fast-paced world.

He discovered that some elderly people had trouble distinguishing between self-service registration machines and those for accessing test results in hospitals. Despite the help of young volunteers, there is still a significant lack of assistance for the large elderly population.

In the video, Feng shared his plan to invite 100 young people to join the "Mutual Assistance Initiative for Other People's Parents".The idea was for participants to support elderly travelers by offering help with tasks like carrying luggage or using smart devices.

He also discussed with a young programmer the possibility of using technology — through an app or a mini-program — to connect elderly travelers in need with young volunteers willing to assist.

"This idea takes 'shared children' beyond just a concept or a single video — it makes it a practical reality," he said.

Feng wasn't the first to take this step. He was inspired by a recent trend on social media, where young people voluntarily help each other's parents when they're away from home.

On the Chinese lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, the topic of "Mutual Assistance Initiative for Other People's Parents" has garnered 40 million views. Over 40,000 users have shared stories of aiding elderly individuals or seeking help for their parents traveling solo.