Comment Writer Eve Darby discusses the unstoppable growth of video sharing app TikTok, arguing that it is providing some much needed positivity during the pandemic
With the population in quarantine, unable to leave the house to meet family and friends, people are turning to video-sharing app TikTok now more than ever to provide entertainment during this uncertain time.
The addictive app which was launched in 2016 allows users to create short videos, often accompanied by music, or comical sound clips. Users of the app can like, share and comment on videos, making it a popular platform with celebrities and up-and-coming influencers who can use TikTok to gain followers. Not the first platform of its kind, TikTok follows a similar format to its hugely popular predecessor Vine, which allowed creators to make fun videos that were six seconds long. With Vine no longer in service, it is no wonder that Tik Tok, although snubbed by some older Gen Z’s and lovers of Vine to begin with, has amassed over one billion downloads worldwide.
Right now, the content on TikTok varies more than ever Right now, the content on TikTok varies more than ever
One song that proves to be a result of isolation is the ‘Bored in the House’ jingle, created by US rapper Curtis Roach. The viral song features the lyrics ‘I’m bored in the house and I’m in the house bored’ on repeat and has been used in videos by the biggest influencers on the app, like Charli D’Amelio as well as celebrities including Tyga. Roach’s song has proven a hit on the site because so many people share in his current boredom. In order to combat this, some have taken to TikTok to showcase dance routines. Others have attempted to teach their parents the moves, with Gordon Ramsay’s daughter, Matilda, uploading a video of her and her famous dad dancing to Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’.
The topical toilet roll challenge has also emerged in recent weeks, requiring participants to perform keepie-uppies with a toilet roll. Various sports teams have adapted this to create the ‘pass it on’ challenge in which individuals use their sporting equipment to keep the toilet roll in the air, so when all the clips are put together it appears to be passed from one person to another. These challenges are allowing people to keep in contact and interact in a different way during this time, and are being used by societies including the University of Birmingham Women’s Cricket Club, whose pass it on challenge you can see here.
The platform is not all laughs however, love it or hate it, TikTok is providing an element of support and reassurance through this difficult time, Tik Tok is providing an element of support and reassurance through this difficult time
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