TikTok has taken the world by storm since its launch in 2017, quickly becoming one of the most popular social media platforms among Generation Z. As of 2023, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide (Businessofapps), making it one of the fastest growing apps in history. The app is best known for its short, entertaining videos featuring dancing, comedy, and talent, many of which go viral and spark trends. TikTok’s easy-to-use video creation tools have enabled users to produce creative videos, while its powerful recommendation algorithm determines which videos go viral.
Brief History of TikTok
TikTok officially launched in September 2016 in China under the name Douyin. It was created by the Beijing-based internet technology company ByteDance. Within a year of launch, Douyin had amassed 100 million users and 1 billion video views per day in China alone. Seeing the app’s immense popularity, ByteDance launched an international version called TikTok in 2017.
TikTok quickly caught on worldwide, attracting celebrities, brands, and millions of users to create and engage with short form videos. By 2018, it had 75 million monthly active international users. The app continued seeing massive growth, surpassing 1 billion downloads globally by early 2019. As the app grew, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, another popular short video app, and merged the two platforms. Today, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users across more than 150 countries and 75 languages. It has become one of the most downloaded and used social media apps worldwide.
Viral TikTok Dances
TikTok has become a hotbed for viral dance challenges and trends. Some of the most popular viral dances on TikTok in 2022 include the About Damn Time dance to Lizzo’s hit song (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tiktok-dances-trending-2022-may-and-june), the Jiggle Jiggle dance challenge (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/2022-tiktok-dances-names), and choreographed dances to Beyonce’s Cuff It. Dance creators like Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, and others have helped popularize these trends by posting their own versions which are then copied by millions of users.
Viral dance challenges often involve simple, repetitive moves that are easy for users to recreate in their own videos. Catchy songs, flashy outfits, and trending effects or filters also help certain dances take off in popularity. While some criticize TikTok dances as repetitive or lacking in creativity, they have become a core part of the platform’s identity and culture.
Dances associated with hip hop and R&B frequently go viral on TikTok, like the About Damn Time and Cuff It examples. Trending pop songs, country hits, and music across genres often get the dance treatment as well. TikTok dances continue to be a way for creators to showcase original choreography, gain a following, or simply participate in the latest viral craze.
Impact on Pop Culture
TikTok has had a major influence on pop culture, changing the way we dance, listen to music, and interact online. According to one report, “TikTok has transformed the way we dance and connect to music” (Source: https://medium.com/@jamesbrades6/dancing-into-the-future-the-impact-of-tiktok-on-pop-culture-34c136fd0b5b). TikTok dance trends have shaped mainstream music, with many artists creating songs specifically to go viral on the platform. The app has launched the careers of young influencers and creators, some of whom now have millions of followers.
Fashion trends are also being driven by what’s popular on TikTok, like “coastal grandmother” or “dark academia” aesthetics. Even major brands are tapping into viral TikTok moments, like Chipotle’s lid flipping challenge. Overall, TikTok has ingrained itself into youth culture and daily life, changing how we engage with music, fashion, and online content.
Criticisms of TikTok
TikTok has faced criticism on several fronts. One major area of concern is around privacy and data collection. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which has raised fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government (https://jamestown.org/program/the-controversies-and-security-concerns-surrounding-tiktok/). There are worries that TikTok collects an excessive amount of personal data from users, including browsing history and location data.
Another issue is the potential negative psychological effects of using TikTok. The app’s addictive short videos and powerful algorithms aimed at maximizing user engagement have been accused of harming attention spans and mental health, especially for younger users. There are also concerns around social media addiction and decreased self-esteem from comparing oneself to others.
Additionally, TikTok has faced criticism for censorship and restricting certain content. There have been allegations that TikTok suppresses content related to political issues and minorities. The app’s moderation policies and enforcement are seen by some as opaque and biased.
TikTok’s content recommendation algorithm has been scrutinized for biases as well, with claims that the algorithm favors conventionally attractive people and marginalizes people of color and the LGBTQ community (https://amt-lab.org/blog/2023/7/tiktok-part-1-ai-algorithms-and-the-censorship-of-content).
TikTok Stars
TikTok has launched the careers of many talented dancers and content creators. Charli D’Amelio is one of the biggest stars on the platform with over 130 million followers. She rocketed to fame in 2019 through viral dances like the “Renegade.” Addison Rae is another top creator known for her dances and collaborations with other TikTok stars. She has over 80 million followers. Other popular dancers include twins Niki and Gabi DeMartino, Avani Gregg, and Haley Sharpe (Top 10 Most Popular TikTok Stars 2022). These young creators have turned TikTok fame into business empires, promoting brands, releasing merch, and raking in millions from sponsorships.
Popular TikTok stars have massive influence among their young followers. Their viral dances often spark trends on the platform and beyond. TikTok provides a launching pad to build an audience and pivot into a multimedia career as an influencer, musician, or actor. However, the platform’s biggest stars also face criticism for promoting harmful trends or products. Overall, TikTok has allowed a new generation of digital creators to find fame and fortune by sharing their talents online.
Dance Trends in 2022
TikTok dance challenges remain immensely popular in 2022, with new dances going viral on a regular basis. Some of the biggest dance trends so far this year include:
- The “About Damn Time” dance to Lizzo’s hit song of the same name. This energetic dance involves tapping your shoulders up and down and swinging your arms. It’s been attempted over 2 million times on TikTok. (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/top-dance-moves-2022)
- “Jiggle Jiggle” to Duke & Jones and Louis Theroux’s rap song. This silly dance has people jiggling their bodies to the beat. The hashtag #jigglejiggle has over 10 billion views. (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/top-dance-moves-2022)
- The “Jump” dance challenge set to music by Kris Kross. People jump to the chorus lyrics “Jump jump, the Mac Dad will make ya.” The hashtag #jumpchallenge2022 has over 4 billion views. (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/top-dance-moves-2022)
Challenges to Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Sweetest Pie” and a dance routine called the “Heather” also rank among the most popular and viral dances of 2022 so far. TikTok’s continuous stream of catchy music and creative moves ensure dance challenges remain a staple of the platform.
Future of TikTok Dancing
TikTok dancing is likely here to stay, but will continue evolving in new and creative ways. As noted in an article published on Medium, “While we can’t forecast the future with absolute certainty, we can certainly embark on an informed projection of the trends and innovations set to captivate TikTok users in 2024” (Source).
Some predictions for the future of TikTok dancing include more interactive augmented reality effects, the emergence of new viral dances and challenges, greater diversity and inclusion in dance trends, more collaboration between TikTok stars, and potentially even dance styles unique to the TikTok platform. As TikTok’s technology improves, we may see dances with more advanced moves and choreography. Overall, TikTok dancing is likely to continue driving pop culture and inspiring new trends.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cultural impact of TikTok cannot be understated. It has empowered individuals from all walks of life to express themselves creatively through dance, while also shaping pop culture and trends. TikTok dances have become ingrained in mainstream media, entertainment, and our collective consciousness. Even with some valid criticisms around appropriation and originality, TikTok has undoubtedly left its mark as a platform for self-expression. While viral dances come and go, TikTok’s influence as an accessible and far-reaching creative outlet seems poised to continue. Only time will tell how TikTok dancing will continue to evolve and impact culture on a global scale.
References
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