#EndofLife Social Media Hashtag Use Is On The Rise

Social Media can lessen feelings of isolation for those with chronic illness

In a world where nothing is too personal to post, many users are sharing their terminal illness or diagnosis on social media. And they are documenting its impact on their ability to live each day as it comes. A search for #endoflife will highlight 76,140 related posts on Instagram and there are 321 YouTube channels dedicated to the topic. That same hashtag will net you 65.2 million video results on the short-form video app TikTok. Although some have utilized this hashtag when posting about their loved one’s last months or days, there is an upward trend in the use of #endoflife about oneself.

A recent USA Today article highlights this social media momentum. Kassidy Pierson, a 27-year old with terminal cancer, documented the daily ups and downs of her diagnosis. On August 25th, she remarked on the lovely weather after spending the previous day feeling lethargic and nauseous. Pierson also informed her 200,000+ followers that it was no longer realistic for her to post videos every day. That upload turned out to be her last.

Pierson’s older sister Kasey Metzger posted from her account on September 9th. She informed those beloved followers that her sister had died. “I can’t tell you the amount of times that she would just break down crying because she couldn’t believe how many people just loved her from this platform,” Metzger said. “Thank you so much for all that you’ve done for her.”

While social media may help many to feel less alone at end of life stages, this may be especially true for younger generations grappling with a terminal diagnosis. Many of them are especially tech-savvy on social media apps like TikTok. Users can instantly invite hundreds to follow them on their medical journey.

A young TikToker shares firshand #endoflife moments with her followers

These young TikTokers share intimate portraits of their daily struggles, hopes and fears through videos and poignant words. Some may do so to educate others about their condition, treatment or hospice care. Others post stories or updates to gain support. Regardless of the intention, these social media gurus generally inspire themselves to live a fuller end of life, as well as inspire their followers along the way.

AZ Central, part of the USA Today news network, highlighted a similar #endoflife TikToker story earlier this year. Danielle Medina, a 22-year old woman in Phoenix, Arizona, garnered nearly four million “likes” on the first video she posted about her terminal diagnosis. Her followers, complete strangers to her otherwise, sent messages of encouragement daily. And Medina ultimately inspired over half a million TikTok fans to complete some items on her bucket list when she could no longer do so herself.

With the advent of improved technologies and affordable devices in the hands of so many of us, #endoflife is fast becoming a woven fabric entwined in our social media experiences. Whether you are a user or a follower, perhaps we can all simply take comfort in knowing that we are not alone in this journey called life, even at its end.