Why Grandma Doesn’t Get TikTok! Psychology Behind the Generation Gap & Empathy Tips

Transcript

00:00Ever shown your grandma a TikTok and watched her squint at the screen, puzzled, as if she's

00:05witnessing some kind of digital magic trick? Maybe she leans in, eyebrows raised, and asks,

00:11sweetheart, why are people dancing in the kitchen again? It's a moment that's equal parts hilarious

00:17and, let's admit it, a little bit heartwarming. So why does this happen so often? And what can

00:23we do to bridge that generational gap with a little more empathy and a lot more laughter?

00:28Later, let's dive into the psychology of the generation gap and why apps like TikTok can

00:33feel like a foreign universe to someone who grew up in a totally different world. First,

00:38let's talk about the roots of this gap. For your grandma, her formative years were shaped

00:44by radio shows, handwritten letters, and the comfort of face-to-face conversations. Life

00:51moved at a slower pace, and communication was about depth, meaning, and cherishing traditions.

00:56Now, fast forward to today's world. You're surrounded by memes, eight-second viral videos,

01:04and algorithms designed to keep you scrolling for hours. The modern digital landscape isn't

01:10just about new technology. It's about a completely different cultural rhythm. Our brains adapt to

01:16the environments we grow up in. Grandma's brain grew up valuing context, patience, and predictability.

01:22She finds comfort in routines and familiar patterns, seeking meaning in stories that unfold slowly.

01:29In contrast, your brain is wired for speed, processing bursts of information, multitasking

01:35between apps, and hunting for that next quick hit of dopamine. It's not that one way is better

01:41than the other. They're just different operating systems shaped by different times. This clash

01:46of cultures leads to misunderstandings, but it goes deeper than just confusion over technology.

01:52It's about the psychology of how we interpret the unfamiliar. When grandma sees a TikTok dance

01:57or a meme, her first instinct might be curiosity or even concern. She might wonder, why are people

02:04doing this? Or, is this really important? From your perspective, it's just harmless fun, a way to connect

02:11and express creativity. But here's where confirmation bias sneaks in. We often assume, she just doesn't

02:18get it. The truth is, she does get it, but she's seeing it through a lens shaped by decades of

02:24different experiences. Her questions might sound outdated, but most of the time they come from a

02:29place of concern, not criticism. She wants to understand your world, even if it sometimes feels

02:35like she's from another planet. The challenge is to meet her halfway, to translate not just the

02:41technology, but the spirit behind it. So how do we bridge this gap? Here are three quick empathy hacks

02:48that work wonders. First, translate don't mock. When grandma asks what a viral trend means, explain it with

02:55excitement, like you're letting her in on a fun secret. Avoid rolling your eyes or making her feel out of

03:01touch. Remember, curiosity is a sign that she cares. Second, share back. The quickest way to

03:08build a bridge is to invite her to share her own favorite memory or hobby. Maybe she used to knit,

03:14tell stories, or play music. Show genuine interest, and you'll probably find more in common than you

03:20expect. Finally, find shared values. At their core, TikTok trends are about creativity and self-expression.

03:27In grandma's era, it might have been through crafts, music, or storytelling. Different tools,

03:35same human drive to connect and express, celebrate these common threads, and suddenly, the gap feels a

03:41lot smaller. Technology will keep evolving, but empathy is the timeless skill that helps us stay

03:47connected. Next time someone you love asks, what's a TikTok?

03:51Remember, it's not just about explaining an app. It's about sharing a bit of your world and inviting

04:00them in with kindness and a smile. What's the funniest thing your grandparents have said about

04:05your favorite app? Share your stories and remember, Bridging the Gap starts with a single conversation.

04:11I'll see you next time.