TikTok is an app many of us have grown to love. However, it seems that there are a decent amount of people not on it yet. Many people see TikTok as a waste of time or “that app where middle and high schoolers dance.” But TikTok is so much more than this. So here are just a few reasons why you should download TikTok if you do not already have it.
It provided us with quarantine entertainment.
To begin, the rise of TikTok coincided with the pandemic. Though TikTok existed prior to 2020, its usage largely correlates with the extra time we all suddenly acquired beginning March 2020. TikTok provided us with a place to cope with the unprecedented events of the past year through humor and creativity. The app moves fast, which always keeps us on our toes. There is never a lack of entertainment, which is why even a year later, we are still not bored of it.
It is informative.
Unlike the iconic Vine, which required videos to six seconds or less, TikTok gives creators a whole minute for their videos. This provides creators with enough time to show an entire kitchen renovation, a whole clothing DIY, and even allows enough time to educate viewers on a subject. There are so many things that I have learned on TikTok from how to fix candles that have tunneled, to obscure facets of American history, to how to take the doors off the Jeep that I do not have. The informational side of TikTok helps normalize weird habits and thoughts. Many creators overshare, which makes viewers realize that they are not alone in their problems and there is a whole community of strangers who can act as a support system.
It gives a voice to small creators.
One thing that makes TikTok so special is that everyone has the potential to gain a following. Artists with small businesses, such as Etsy shops, can post their products and advertise for themselves. There are also a number of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators who advocate for those communities through their videos. Additionally, there is the TikTok Creator Fund, which gives creators money once they have acquired a certain number of followers and views. This money is often donated. For example, Hank Green, who does science Crash Course videos, asked TikTok users to comment on their favorite charities. Green donated his funds to the organization whose comment got the most likes.
It is personalized.
Probably one of the most unique aspects of TikTok is that it has a very specific algorithm. By interacting with videos through commenting, sharing with your friends, and liking, TikTok customizes your feed. I can relate to the videos from my friends’ feeds, but I prefer videos that are specific to my own interests. There are sides of TikTok that I will never experience (such as “Dad TikTok” or “Football TikTok”), but this is what makes TikTok a place for everyone. To acquire this level of personalization, you have to download the app, rather than watching TikToks as Instagram Reels or on YouTube.
It brings Gen Z together.
If you are a member of Generation Z, TikTok is an especially attractive app to download. TikTok is the platform where we can all talk about the many life-altering events that Gen Z has experienced. Our generation has a habit of using humor to cope. When we hear the song “Supalonely” by BENEE or hear, “Martha was an average dog,” we immediately remember how we first felt when those audio clips appeared on our feeds. This creates generational inside jokes. Whether you are 21 or 15, TikTok has given us this common denominator through which we can all relate to each other.
These are just a few of the reasons you should download TikTok. It has brought me closer to my friends and even my brother, who is probably on “Sneaker TikTok,” and has served as an outlet for me to relieve stress. I urge you to download the app if you haven’t already. When in need of small talk, do not talk about the weather, talk about what side of TikTok you are on.