Who here is on TikTok?
I’m on TikTok, but not as a video creator. I just follow and enjoy videos made by others.
My cousins and sister were the ones who influenced me to actually just make an account so I could keep track of the videos I like (as well as sending me random videos which may or may not influence my For You page). It’s come to the point where we will take a little down time before bed just to send each other videos that make us laugh or go, “Yep, that’s totally me.”
Very recently, folks were worried that TikTok would be banned in the United States. At the time of this writing, it’s still around.
(Why the ban? I think the official reason was due to security concerns, but unofficially, it seemed to be due to a certain figure in power being mocked on the platform, but I digress.)
While I’m aware each social media has its own safety concerns, TikTok’s algorithm does well in figuring out what exactly you like, allowing it to give you whatever serotonin you need at the moment.
My TikTok, for example, is filled with goofy dogs, fluffy cats, art and cosplay, books, and folks acting out comedic skits, either alone, with their spouse, or a group of friends and family. In short, my TikTok feed never fails to make me laugh.
It’s a nice reprieve at the end of the day or if you have a few minutes to spare on a couple of videos. And, honestly, it’s not just the silly things the video platform does.
Folks use videos to raise awareness to important issues. Showcasing shelter animals, the Black Lives Matter campaign, wearing a mask during these times, for a few examples.
There was a little girl recently — about 5 years old — who was diagnosed with cancer and had to have her head shaved for her treatment. Her video went viral enough for complete strangers on the this platform to shave their heads in solidarity to this brave little girl, to show her that they are on her side despite never seeing each other before except through the other end of a screen.
Strangers giving a little girl (including a gentleman portraying Santa Claus!) hope during a tough time in her life.
Videos of puppies with voice-overs saying hello or sharing silly stories of their day.
Beautiful drag queens claiming they are your fairy godmother ready to share what an amazing person you are to the world.
I think that’s what TikTok does. Perhaps I’ve only seen a small part of the platform, but from the videos I do see, it’s full of people having fun, laughing at themselves, and sharing positive affirmations with each other and their viewers.
This world could always use a little more light like that.