TikTok and similar new media applications have become increasingly central to the lives of younger generations, breaking them away from traditional media. These user-generated short- form video outlets are sources of not only social interaction and entertainment, but culture, and their popularity can confuse older generations who see these apps as simply a “trend”.

 

Because of the newness of these media forms there is little research done concerning the reason behind their success or the greater social impact they have on their audience. By looking at different topics surrounding TikTok's success, I hope to showcase just how impactful these applications truly are and what they mean for the future of social media.

 

Understanding this societal change in media consumption can help us sculpt our design thinking to fit the new generation of content consumers.

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Spin the wheel or select one of the buttons below to learn more about each of these eight essential TikTok topics.