I'm sure the watchtower would have a fancy answer, but I thought the meaning in the bible of an elder was an older man.
Someone fair, impartial and mature with lots of first hand experience of life, as well as being a long standing, trusted and respected spiritual man.
The horrible, hard line, older, decrepit elders in one of my old halls sent a fresh faced ministerial servant to do a 'shepherding' call with me and my young family.
This 'kid' was hardly even shaving yet.
He cockily said, "Don't worry the shepherding call won't be discussing anything heavy or serious."
I replied, "What if I want to discuss something deep, heavy or important about reaching out for further service privileges with a view to becoming an appointed man again?"
He crapped himself on the spot and then said he would have to seek advice from the presiding overseer and get right back to me.
He never got back to me and our family never had a 'shepherding' call from him or any of the thirteen elders on the body..
What a bunch of spineless, heartless, disinterested bastards they all were.
So, 'young elders'.. sounds like an oxymoron to me...🤦‍♂️