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The Cultural Reset of TikTok

Aug 19, 2020
3 min read

by Rinoa Roman

ON LOOP. TikTok is a video-sharing application that is used to create artistic short and looping videos. The social media application is popular to teens and young adults. © Solis

Gone are the days wherein the idea of getting famous on social media required high budgets and huge productions. Presently, it only takes a 15 or 60-second video to become an internet sensation—all thanks to an application called “Tiktok” that has taken over the screens of the youth. Tiktok has wiped the world by storm; in fact, it was deemed as the second most-downloaded app last year, garnering a total of 1.5 billion downloads.

During these strange times, I often find myself bored in the house and endlessly scrolling through my For You Page (FYP) on TikTok. There I am immersed in a plethora of 15 and 60-second videos of the most random things. It can range from teenagers trying to come up with the next big dance routine similar to “Say So” and “Renegade” dance, to share random things in their houses, to do the Vogue magazine challenge, to give life and study hacks, to lip syncing, and many more.

From an outsider’s perspective, the contents created on the app seem like nonsense and a waste of time. However, I contradict that statement. The platform redefines the content on social media today because over 60% of the app’s users fall under Generation Z (Gen Z) who are born between the years of mid-to-late 1990s to early 2010. TikTok is a revolutionary platform and, in the word of a true Gen Z, a “cultural reset”. A cultural reset is defined as when something big happened that changes the way people look at things.

Why is TikTok so appealing?

A McKinsey & Company research shows that one unique characteristic that this generation values is self-expression. As a generation, we embrace our individuality and reject stereotypes. TikTok is an avenue for all aforementioned traits; thus, it is the secret to the success of the app.

Recently, there has been a boost of content on the app; unlike before wherein people just simply dance along to Say So or the Weekend for the purpose of entertainment. Nowadays, people of color dance along to Jason Duerlo’s “Savage Love” in their national costumes to raise awareness for minorities. Moreover, they create relatable memes about their culture and norms.

I think another reason as to why TikTok is alluring because it celebrates authenticity. Growing up in the world of social media, past content feels too good to be true or out of the ordinary like mega pop stars touring around the world or celebrities with their worldly goods. Generation Z understands that the media highlights the beauty and extravagance of things. However, the app challenges these established ideas because it celebrates authenticity and the beauty of everyday life. Refreshing content such as “What I eat in a day”, “My name, my age, and my favorite color” trend, “Wipe down” challenge, and the like.

Celebrating authenticity gives a sense of empowerment to the youth. Moreover, our generation cherishes creating connections and self empowerment. The app provides an equal platform so that anybody can have a chance to be heard. It gives the idea that I, an ordinary 16-year old student, can be TikTok famous too if I’m dedicated enough; even, minus the fame, TikTok gives us a community. I guess that is why relatable funny content regarding minorities’ culture is also a big hit on the app. We have this connection to other people and it makes us feel that we are not alone in this world.

Aside from the allure of cultural expression, TikTok is also a place for social awareness. On the recent news, we see other people our age standing up for their rights and fighting for freedom of their own and others. The app has become a platform for online revolution, and it goes as big as sabotaging President Trump’s Tulsa Rally. On a local scale, our generation has joined forces and taken over the FYP to advocate the #JunkAntiTerrorBill movement. It is pleasant to see that this generation is digitally discerning and socially aware of the issues present around the world.

At the end of the day, TikTok’s platform of honest-to-goodness content is so alluring to Generation Z because it comes down to self-expression and provides a community of acceptance. TikTok does not only depict our “cultural rest” in society, but also it paves a way on the future of social media because of how it revolutionized how people create content and what they want to see or watch.