TikTok is a video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based internet technology company. The TikTok app allows users to create and share short videos up to 60 seconds long. It launched in September 2016 in China under the name Douyin and then later expanded internationally as TikTok in 2017.
TikTok has become one of the world’s fastest-growing social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2021 (https://www.bark.us/app-overview/tiktok/). The app is especially popular among young people, including teenagers and young adults.
In this article, we will provide an overview of TikTok, looking at its main features and functionality. We will examine the pros and cons around TikTok, including its popularity, creative expression, community, and concerns around data privacy and mental health. By the end, you should have a good understanding of what TikTok is, what makes it appealing to users, and some of the major debates surrounding its impact.
Popularity
TikTok has experienced massive growth in users over the past few years. According to Search Logistics, TikTok has 73.7 million monthly active users in the US alone as of December 2023, and this number is forecasted to reach 90.8 million by 2024. Globally, TikTok hit 1 billion monthly active users in September 2021.
When comparing TikTok’s growth to other platforms, it has far outpaced many social networks. For example, it took Facebook over 4 years to reach 100 million users, while TikTok accomplished this in just 9 months after launching. The app’s growth has been described as “meteoric” and “unprecedented” for a social media platform.
TikTok’s biggest audiences are teens and young adults. According to DemandSage, 41% of TikTok’s global audience is between 16 and 24 years old. The app has tapped into Gen Z’s strong appetite for short video content. While the US remains TikTok’s largest market, the platform has also seen massive growth in India, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Content
TikTok has become a platform for creative and entertaining videos. Many of the most popular types of content involve trends, memes, dances, and challenges. According to source, some of the top categories on TikTok are focused on entertainment, comedy, and music. Dance videos are also hugely popular, allowing users to show off their moves and take part in viral dances.
TikTok enables people to put their own creative spin on trends and memes. Short-form videos allow creators to participate in viral content while showcasing their unique talents. This facilitates the rapid sharing and iteration of funny or clever concepts. According to source, videos based on trending hashtags and recreating popular dialogues are common ways users engage with viral memes on the platform.
Many users are drawn to TikTok as a platform for entertaining, lighthearted content. Music and comedy are consistently popular categories, allowing creators to showcase their comedic timing or musical abilities. This platform empowers everyday people to participate in viral trends and challenge themselves creatively.
Features
TikTok offers a variety of features that set it apart and contribute to its popularity. Some of the standout features include:
Editing Tools – TikTok provides users with easy-to-use video editing tools right within the app. Users can trim and splice videos, add music and sound effects, apply filters and text overlays, and more. The editing tools allow creators to make high-quality, polished videos easily. (Source)
Effects and Filters – TikTok has a large library of AR effects and filters that users can apply to their videos to transform their appearance. Things like facial effects, stickers, lenses, and more help creators make their content more engaging and fun. The effects library is constantly updated with new additions. (Source)
Duets and Stitches – Two of TikTok’s most popular features are Duets and Stitches. Duets allow users to create a video side-by-side with someone else’s video, reacting or dancing along. Stitches let users clip and integrate someone else’s video into their own creation. These features facilitate remixing and collaborating. (Source)
Vibrant and Diverse Community
One of the standout aspects of TikTok is its vibrant and highly diverse community of creators. The app has enabled people from all walks of life to share their passions, talents, and perspectives. From young students to the elderly, people of all ages use TikTok as a platform for creative expression.
In particular, TikTok has been praised for uplifting voices that are often marginalized in mainstream media. The app features a wide range of creators from various cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. It has proven to be an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ and disabled creators to thrive as well.
Beyond diversity, TikTok facilitates the growth of niche communities united by shared interests and hobbies. Enthusiasts around cooking, books, pets, arts, sports, gaming, fashion and more have found their tribes on the app. These niche communities allow people to connect over their niche passions.
The communal and supportive spirit on TikTok is also noteworthy. More experienced creators often uplift and promote lesser known ones. Comment sections are typically encouraging rather than toxic. TikTok trends and challenges inspire collaborative creativity rather than competition.
Overall, TikTok has succeeded in cultivating a vibrant community that celebrates diversity and enables niche connections. For many, it has become a welcoming digital space to find their people and passions.
Self-Expression
TikTok provides a platform for marginalized and underrepresented groups to express themselves freely. The app’s focus on creativity over perfection encourages people to be their authentic selves without judgment. According to research by TikTok, users report feeling more confident, motivated, and energized after spending time expressing themselves through content creation on the platform.
TikTok helps promote self-acceptance by showcasing diversity and unique talents. People who may not fit mainstream beauty standards find a community where they can share their passion and be appreciated for exactly who they are. This leads to improved self-esteem and confidence. As stated in a Forbes article, the app displays “uncommon bravery” and “astonishing creativity” by embracing individuality.
The collaborative nature of TikTok, where creators build on each other’s content, makes it easy for anyone to participate at their own comfort level. This fosters a sense of community and support. Users gain confidence by expressing themselves through dance, comedy skits, challenges, and more. Overall, TikTok serves as an outlet for self-expression that promotes confidence, inclusiveness, and authenticity.
Challenges
While TikTok offers entertainment and creativity, it also presents challenges that impact users. One major issue is wasted time. As users scroll through videos, it’s easy to lose track of time and spend hours mindlessly watching content. This takes away time from other priorities like school, work, family, exercise, and sleep (Source).
Inappropriate content is another concern. Despite community guidelines, some videos contain profanity, nudity, and other adult content. This exposes children and teens to content their parents may find unacceptable (Source).
Social pressure and comparisons are also challenges. Users can develop FOMO from seeing others with more views, likes, and followers. The desire to go viral motivates dangerous stunts and inappropriate behavior. Unrealistic beauty standards shown in videos can damage self-esteem, especially for teenage girls (Source).
Data Privacy Concerns
There has been growing concern over TikTok’s data privacy practices and its ties to China. TikTok collects large amounts of user data including browsing history, location, and device information (Source). Many worry that this data could be accessed by the Chinese government, as TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is based in China. In March 2023, U.S. policymakers pressed TikTok’s CEO about China’s potential access to TikTok user data (Source). Some countries have even banned TikTok on government devices due to data privacy concerns. Critics argue TikTok’s data collection practices are overly invasive and users cannot consent properly given the app’s ownership. However, TikTok claims user data is stored outside China and not shared with the Chinese government.
Mental Health
There is growing concern around the potential negative effects of TikTok on mental health, especially among teenagers. Some research suggests TikTok can lead to social media addiction due to its algorithm that keeps users scrolling for hours (Shaeer, 2021). The constant novelty and instant gratification of new videos may promote obsessive use.
TikTok’s emphasis on appearance, dance trends, and “perfect” lifestyles also raises worries about impacts on body image and self-esteem, particularly for young girls (O’Reilly et al., 2022). Seeingedited videos of influencers and celebrities can lead to unrealistic expectations and comparisons. This is associated with lower self-worth, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating patterns, anxiety, and depression.
However, TikTok can also have positive mental health effects by creating community and allowing self-expression (Milton and Chancellor, 2023). Moderating use and avoiding harmful content is important. More research is still needed on TikTok’s long-term psychological impacts.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok has both positive and negative aspects. On the plus side, it allows people to express themselves creatively, develop talents, and connect with others who share their interests. It is an entertaining app that has introduced many viral trends and challenges. On the negative side, TikTok has faced criticism for privacy issues, potential addiction, and exposing teens to inappropriate content.
Overall, TikTok is neither entirely good nor bad. Like any social media platform, it has risks, especially for younger users. However, with proper parental controls and responsible use, TikTok can be an enjoyable outlet for creativity. For teens and adults, using the app in moderation and being mindful of privacy settings can mitigate many of the cons. While TikTok is highly addictive by design, individuals must take responsibility for monitoring their own use. With cautious and selective engagement, TikTok can provide amusement and community for users of all ages.
In the end, whether TikTok is ultimately good or bad depends on each user’s experience. With awareness of both benefits and risks, TikTok can be a fun place for creative expression and entertainment.
