Vlogging as mediated mobility: Warm Experts 3.0 engaging in peer production and digital labor in the era of short videos

Abstract

This article investigates the caregiving dynamics in the vlogs of Houniao vloggers on the Chinese short video platform Douyin. This article contextualizes the vlogging practices of these individuals within the sociocultural landscape of contemporary China, suggesting that vlogging acts as a medium for mediated mobility, enabling these vloggers to assume the role of ‘warm experts’. This study analyzes 50 tutorial videos produced by Chinese Houniao vloggers, revealing three interconnected themes: (1) the presence of digital care labor in the peer production of vlogs, (2) the necessity of relational labor to facilitate intragenerational connections, and (3) the complexities of managing visibility in an environment governed by platform algorithms. These findings depict Houniao vloggers as ‘ Warm Experts 3.0’, highlighting the potential of digital platforms to support active aging and promote inclusive societal engagement. Central to their role as warm experts, peer production emerges as a fundamental characteristic, underpinning the collaborative and community-focused nature of their digital interactions. Future research should explore the application of this prompted model across diverse communities, spanning both online and offline contexts.