Into the world of TikTok
CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP: (left to right) Freshmen Ariela Kao, Lindsey Kung and Neela Michaelsen practice for their new TikTok video.
September 30, 2019
With summer and its endless hours of leisure gone as school begins kicking up, Tik Tok is here to stay. This social media video app opens another way for people of all ages to connect with each other globally over humor, dance, sports, arts and music.
“I like TikTok because it’s really entertaining to watch other people’s comedy and dance videos and try to recreate them,” junior Soleil Danico said.
TikTok has been exponentially gaining popularity since its initial release in 2016, especially among teenagers, as it provides its users with an easy-to-use platform to express individual creativity. The myriad soundtracks, consisting of new mainstream music and voice overs, along with special effects, make each video all the more appealing to younger generations. The app also allows individuals to create their own unique videos, so there is no restriction on the type and quality of content that can be created.
“The diversity of content and creators on TikTok is so much greater than a lot of other social media platforms and empowers users to share their passions without worrying about how they’ll be perceived,” sophomore Yejin Heo said.
As it was once known as the app Musical.ly, the app was shut down by its owner, Beijing Bytedance Technology Co. due to its plans to merge the app with one of its others, TikTok. This action was done to ensure to bring together the best components of each platform.
“Combining Musical.ly and TikTok is a natural fit given the shared mission of both experiences—to create a community where everyone can be a creator,” Musical.ly co-founder Alex Zhu said.
As a result, many users can also share their unique talents on the app, including things like painting clothing, singing and performing acrobatic tricks. Because people around the world are constantly uploading their own videos throughout the day, the “For You” pages are always refreshed with new videos, making it easier to share ideas and influence trends.
“My favorite part about TikTok is that I get news faster through memes than I do on TV channels— like news of the iPhone 11,” junior Ashley Weimer said.
Northwood students find that TikTok gives them a pleasant distraction from the stresses of their daily lives, which may stem from academic pressures and extracurriculars. Once thought of as a platform for younger audiences, many students have taken a strong liking to the app. Even those who do not actively post on the app have come to find entertainment in its videos.
“Looking through TikTok gives me something to do when I have free time,” senior Zoie Labus said.
The app also provides opportunities for people to gain thresholds into becoming content creators and social media influencers by creating viral videos, leaving many teenagers with a growing desire to become what’s known as “TikTok famous.”
