By Madison Lewis 

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, one platform stands out. In the past seven years, TikTok has not only revolutionized the way we create and consume content but has also left an indelible mark on today’s culture and society. It has exploded into a cultural phenomenon. Initially launched in September 2016, the app has captivated the hearts and minds of over one billion monthly users worldwide. The app has captured the world with its short yet enticing videos, bridging geographical boundaries and creating a global community. Although TikTok has experienced astronomical growth and popularity over recent years, the app continues to face challenges surrounding the complex intersection of entertainment, technology, social influence, and the controversial topic of data security.

TikTok emerged out of a culmination of pieces of two dying entities: Musical.ly and ByteDance. Musical.ly, founded in 2014 by Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang, was a lip-syncing app that gained substantial traction among teenagers and young adults. However, many app users were below the required age of 13, including myself and many of my peers here at Collegiate. Claire Lareau (‘25) says, “I remember when I was in 3rd Grade and I realized all the girls at school had Musical.ly. I begged my parents to let me get it, and they eventually gave in. I found songs to lip-sync to each week, posted slime videos, and duetted with my friends. I think Musical.ly was my first experience with social media.”  Vox journalist Rebecca Jennings writes, “… what Musical.ly was able to do was get people really young. At the time, people called it ‘the world’s youngest app.’” In 2016, ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech company led by Zhang Yiming, recognized the potential of short-form video content and its global appeal. This realization led to ByteDance’s acquisition of Musical.ly in 2017, effectively merging the two platforms into TikTok. The rebranded app, launched in 2016, retained the core concept of short videos but with a more diverse and creative scope.

With its 75 million monthly users in the U.S., the app exhibits an interesting demographic distribution, unlike other platforms. Among these users, gender distribution is somewhat skewed, with approximately 60% identifying as female while 40% are male. The age breakdown further highlights the platform’s appeal to younger individuals. A significant portion of TikTok’s user base, around 32.5%, falls within the 10-19 age range, showcasing its popularity among teenagers. The 20-29 age group represents 29.5% of users. Furthermore, 60% of TikTok’s American users fall within the 16-24 age bracket. This highlights the platform’s strong connection with Generation Z and young Millennials. Other social media platforms, such as Instagram, exhibit a somewhat older skew among users. Around 8% of Instagram users are aged 13-17. Instagram’s appeal extends further into older demographics, with approximately 30% of users in the 18-24 and 25-34 age ranges. 

A TikTok “For You Page” (FYP). Photo credit: Madison Lewis.

What sets TikTok apart from other social media platforms? The answer lies within its innovative algorithms and its user-centric design. TikTok utilizes machine learning algorithms to curate a personalized feed for each user. The “For You Page” (FYP), which greets users upon entering the app, is a carefully curated selection of videos designed to capture attention and encourage further exploration. The more time you spend on the platform, the more accurate the algorithm. Keigan Hayes (‘25) says that his feed is mostly “sports, like basketball and football, music, funny videos, and cute animals from time to time.” Vivian Boyd (‘24) says her feed is mostly “trendy dances, funny videos, cute outfits, and funny quotes.” These algorithms can understand user preferences, ensuring the content displayed is engaging and relevant. Not only does the TikTok algorithm provide users with familiar feeds, but it also provides them with new content, making the platform fresh and addictive. 

Beyond its algorithm, several factors contributed to TikTok’s popularity. First, its format is perfect for our fast-paced, short-attention-span world. 60 seconds or less is all it takes to entertain, educate, or inspire. However, TikTok still offers the option to post longer videos, up to 10 minutes. Second, TikTok enables content creation to be more inclusive. Unlike other social media platforms, where you might need a significant following to gain visibility, TikTok allows unknown users to reach millions overnight. This has led to a surge in user-generated content and diverse voices and talents. Third, TikTok has actively fostered a sense of community. Hashtags and challenges encourage user participation, creating a shared experience that transcends borders. Hayes expresses that “TikTok makes me feel entertained and never bored. I can be on there for hours.” He continues, “TikTok makes me happy, and I love TikTok.”

As TikTok’s popularity has surged, so has the emergence of a new generation of digital stars. From Charli D’Amelio, the original face of TikTok, to creators like Addison Rae, Bryce Hall, and many others, these individuals have amassed millions of followers, turning their passion for creating short videos into lucrative careers. With brand collaborations, merchandise sales, and appearances in traditional media, TikTok stars have become significant players in the entertainment industry.

TikTok star Charli D’Amelio. Photo courtesy of Charli D’Amelio’s Instagram page.

Before her rise on TikTok, D’Amelio was just an ordinary high school student in Connecticut. However, she would become a central figure in the platform’s explosive growth. With her captivating dance routines, engaging personality, and relatable content, she quickly amassed a massive following, becoming one of TikTok’s most recognizable faces. D’Amelio’s authenticity and down-to-earth approach have struck a chord with users worldwide, showcased in her staggering milestones, including her over six billion likes and 82 million followers. The bewilderment at her popularity, or “not getting the hype,” has become a rite of passage on TikTok and is so widespread that D’Amelio even humorously acknowledged it in her profile bio, which simply stated, “Don’t worry, I don’t get the hype either.”

Contrary to the common belief that only celebrities can go viral, individuals in our Collegiate community have experienced viral success. One example is Amelia Chen (‘25), whose TikTok videos often rack up tens or even hundreds of thousands of likes, with her most viral video amassing a remarkable 800,000 likes. Her TikToks range from dancing videos, to vacation vlogs. Chen reflects on this experience, saying, “It’s a bit intimidating to think about how many people have seen my TikToks, but it’s also pretty cool. Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to the view count; I make videos with my friends just for the fun of it. I view TikTok as a more laid-back alternative to other social media, and a place where I can freely share whatever I want without the fear of harsh judgment that plagues many other platforms.” Chen’s perspective echoes the sentiments of numerous teenagers. TikTok, she explains, stands out as a platform that feels refreshingly “chill and unfiltered” in comparison. 

TikTok’s meteoric rise hasn’t been without its fair share of challenges and controversies. Privacy concerns have dogged the platform, leading to scrutiny from governments and organizations. Some have raised concerns about whether China, where TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is based, might use the platform to collect user data for nefarious purposes. The data collection practices and potential national security threats have raised red flags, especially in the United States. The U.S. Navy banned TikTok from government-issued mobile devices in December 2019, and the following year, the Trump administration discussed banning the app. TikTok has consistently denied such allegations and has implemented measures to ensure user safety. In the United States, TikTok stores user data in the U.S. with strict access controls. However, concerns continue to linger. Hayes says, “I don’t have any privacy concerns, because I don’t really care that much. I think China probably already knows everything about me, anyway, so I just don’t really care.” He continues, “The only thing for them to find in my drafts is me trying out funny filters.” 

The influence of TikTok has also raised questions about digital addiction, mental health, and the impact of constant exposure to curated content on its younger users. According to John Piacentini, a UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences professor, “the weight of the pandemic was especially heavy for adolescents. Teens and young adults have an increased need for peer interaction and a higher sensitivity to social exclusion. Lockdowns, online learning, and social distancing mandates have disrupted their lives. Social media has helped to fill those gaps, and TikTok has become a new coping strategy.” Hayes says that, during the pandemic, “I definitely used TikTok more, because I couldn’t leave my house, and there was nothing else to do. All I did was watch TikTok.” TikTok, like other social media platforms, can have both positive and negative effects on children’s mental health. While it offers a creative outlet and a sense of community for some, it can also contribute to mental health challenges. 

The constant exposure to curated, idealized content can lead to unrealistic comparisons, body image issues, and a fear of missing out (FOMO) among young users. Cyberbullying and negative comments are prevalent on the platform, which can seriously impact a child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being. Boyd says, “I think it can affect one’s mental health, as I think any social media has negative effects. Seeing videos of ‘perfect’ girls with flawless skin and an hourglass figure every time I scroll can sometimes affect me, not going to lie. I also find myself mindlessly scrolling for hours and hours, which I don’t think is healthy. I spend about four hours daily on it, and many of my friends spend more.” Additionally, excessive screen time and disrupted sleep patterns associated with late-night scrolling can further exacerbate mental health issues. 

TikTok has recognized the need to address safety concerns, especially for younger users. The platform’s safety features include tools for parents to manage their children’s accounts, privacy settings, and reporting systems to flag inappropriate content. TikTok also prohibits certain types of content, including hate speech and harassment. Furthermore, TikTok has committed to transparency in its content moderation policies. The company believes it’s essential for users to understand how their content is being moderated and why some content may be removed. TikTok’s transparency reports provide insights into its content removal and moderation practices.

TikTok’s journey from a Chinese short-video platform to a global cultural phenomenon is nothing short of remarkable. Its’ cultural impact is undeniable, and its role in shaping music, politics, and all aspects of today’s pop culture is substantial. Yet, TikTok isn’t without controversy. Data security concerns persist, even as the platform takes steps to address them. Safety measures and policies are essential to ensuring a positive user experience. The future of TikTok holds exciting possibilities, with e-commerce integration, TikTok shop, and continued innovation are on the horizon. TikTok is more than just an app; it’s a cultural force, a global connector, and a testament to the power of technology to shape our lives in ways we never could have imagined. Its journey is far from over, and the world eagerly watches to see where it will take us next.

Featured image credit: TikTok via Deviant Art.