Is it actually as bad as people make it out to be? What is it really like? Here are my thoughts on TikTok – one of the most popular apps in the world right now.
When my sister first told me to download TikTok, I turned to her and said, ‘why on earth would I want to use a kids app?‘ Little did I know…
A whole year later here I am, completely obsessed with TikTok and spending far too much time on it.
No honestly, I click on the app thinking to myself I’m only going on it for a few minutes but then it’s two AM and I’m deep into DIY TikTok, thinking I can be the next Bob the Builder.
In a nutshell, users create and share vertical videos that are up to 60 seconds long. It comes with a wide range of effects, filters and a massive bank of audio which TikTokers can use to create their content.
A live streaming feature also allows content creators to interact with their followers in real time.
In the UK, there are over 3.7 million active TikTok users, with the largest number of users aged between 18 and 24.
Now that doesn’t mean you have to be in that age bracket to use TikTok, just ask grandad Joe, the 87-year-old content creator on TikTok.
With a broad range of content created everyday, there’s definitely something for everyone. Just like a box of celebrations, right?
And whilst there are oddly weird things happening on TikTok that make me think what is going on???
Often, it’s a great place to be, where there’s content that’s actually worth watching and has some meaning to it.
So it’s about high time we move past the surface of the popular trends on the app and look into the vastness of the positivity.
There’s so much rich, creative, unique and educational content that’s hidden away behind the fog of trends and TikTok dances.
That’s not to say that the trends and dances aren’t entertaining, they are, but they get repetitive and it gets to the point where you want to throw your phone at a wall after hearing the same 60 second audio clip of a song over and over again.
The app offers so much more and here are my thoughts and favourite parts of TikTok.
Study TikTok
This one absolutely surprised me.
There’s now people creating GCSE and A-Level exams and revision content that left me absolutely amazed.
It’s becoming a weird guilty pleasure of mine to watch GCSE Maths being explained so clearly.
How incredible is it though? People are out there helping each other with their exams and revision and all that for free too.
Now, I did my GCSEs and A Levels a while back but I just find other students explaining concepts a lot less intimidating and they seem to explain it so simply that it’s easy to grasp.
The ‘study’ TikTokers have different techniques up their sleeves on how to get studying.
This could be going through practice questions and explaining them step by step or going through different revision techniques or better still, sharing their own notes and resources.
Tech is advancing like crazy and it makes me wish I had something like this when I was in school.
Young people are streaming study sessions too, where they live broadcast themselves studying and encouraging their peers to join them.
How great is that? A perfect way to stay motivated!
Uplifting TikTok
Sometimes when I’ve scrolled through various different videos on my for you page, it is so nice to get a random uplifting or motivational video.
Which is a nice change from the tarot card readings that are supposedly meant for me despite having over 100k likes.
It’s just a burst of fresh air knowing that someone out there, a random stranger, believes in you and tells you that everything is going to be ok and that you can get through whatever you’re going through.
As a constantly stressed person, I definitely think i need a few of these every so often to make me feel like, yeah I’ve got this, I can do this!
Uplifting TikTok is a place where you’re reminded of the more important things, like yourself and learning to love yourself just the way you are.
These uplifting messages are not always the same, they vary incredibly. You can have body image, religious, mental health and anxiety related uplifting videos that just seem to make you feel better about yourself and your environment.
Creative TikTok
This is one of my favourite things about the app. Like seriously, I am in awe at how talented people are.
Creatives, whether they are videographers, photographers, actors or artists use the app to promote their work.
Think of it in this way, TikTok is a creatives’ portfolio in a sense, where they can showcase their phenomenal work and gain recognition for what they do.
I personally think it’s the best app for creatives, it has the ability to reach anyone, can easily be shared and with the right audio it’s pretty much a cinematic experience.
Where other apps might not fit best, TikTok allows everyone to be their creative, authentic selves, create their content, the way they want to and share it with anyone and everyone.
By using hashtags, certain sounds and even getting involved with challenges, creatives make themselves easily discoverable. With that, creatives’ views, likes and followers are bound to rise.
You might think that everyone’s content is the same but it isn’t, each creative has a unique approach to the art and their own creative niche focuses on something that another might not and to me that’s what makes the creatives on TikTok so amazing.
It’s also a great place for young creatives to start creating content and showcasing it too, allowing them to be authentic and continuously learn.
Lastly, for a person like me, who wishes she was incredibly skilled at photography, creatives’ often post tutorials, guiding anyone to take a decent photo.
Food TikTok
Anyone else hated the idea of cooking because it just seemed too daunting?
Tiktok is so great with that!
There’s so much you can learn from food TikTok, whether that’s cuisines from around the globe, what spices work well in meals and even just the basics like how to cut a bell pepper.
How to cut a bell pepper was life changing for me. I’m being serious, it’s like an art.
The recipes are straightforward. Believe me they are. The steps are easy to follow and you end up with a delicious meal or snack or dessert or drink.
The possibilities are endless.
That’s not all with food TikTok, you can find recipes and tips for certain dietary requirements, cooking on a budget and making meals out of anything in the cupboards.
And like with anything on TikTok, food TikTok has it’s trends too. Whether that’s the whipped coffee, pancake cereal or the current trend of hot chocolate bombs.
And if you still don’t fancy taking up the culinary arts, Gordon Ramsay reacting to people’s dishes is always a fun watch.
