I Was Wrong About TikTok.

Here’s the stupid thing: I wrote an entire article about not understanding TikTok without ever watching a TikTok. I fabricated a viewpoint based on very little information.

I felt bad about that, so I started to look closer at TikTok, and the major players in TikTok at the moment. Two things happened – I understand how completely addictive TikTok’s are and the major TikTok players exploded with drama this week while I was digging into them!

In summary, there are content collectives that, one way or another, end up in enviable mansions in idyllic zip codes where their only job is to make TikTok videos all day. Within the past week one of the most written about houses, The Hype House, had one of its big hitters, influencer-wise, leave and make a video about why she left slamming the so-called den mother of the house, and founder. Then the “den mother” guy made a video explaining his side of the story! Then there were countless videos examining the situation! It was a lil 20-something, nonsensical, pretty people drama-feast for the quarantined. It’s almost like they planned it!

So, yes, I took a closer look at TikTok. But now, as I take a step back into adulthood – where we don’t live in mansions with constant quarantine-burritos and choreographed dances, I think: “They don’t deserve this.”

My feelings about 20-something’s living influencer lifestyles are varied. But, the small bit of fame they’ve achieved seems to have come at the cost of becoming the target of everyone else. Now these children, because they are literally children, are under the microscope of the national media hungry for anything else to look at besides death.

I wonder if all fame comes at this price. As you grow in notability, you will A) gain more people taking a closer look at you and your past, and B) become the “thing to beat”, thereby inheriting competition. Maybe this is the first step to conquer on the way up the ladder. Imagine having to deal with that as a child. Yikes.

So, I apologize. Both the platform and the people of TikTok are interesting – at least if you’re quarantined. I did not download the app. I won’t. But, for the age demographic it’s aiming for, I completely understand why it’s zoomed up in Gen Z usage in the past year. (Seriously, I did a lot of research.) If it’s good enough for a quarantine…