Originally released in September 2016, TikTok caused an international sensation with its diverse assortment of up-to-60-seconds videos. The app and its appeal to the masses led to the skyrocketing amount of downloads. In 2018 and 2019, TikTok took the title of most downloaded app on the App Store, and is the 7th highest downloaded mobile app of the decade. In the United States alone it has been downloaded over 80 million times.
TikTok’s powerhouse juggernaut, Charli D’Amelio, has amassed a fanbase of over 74.3 million users with her quirky videos. She and her faction of insanely popular creators, including notable influencers Addison Rae, Chase Hudson, Dixie D’Amelio, and Loren Gray, have become the hallmarks of today’s pop culture. They head the hundreds of communities that comprise TikTok, posting diverse content varying from tutorials to lip-syncs to dances to skits and everything else in between.
Famous TikTok dancer Charli D’Amelio doing collaborations with her friends
The supportive nature of the app and its mainstream creators fosters an environment in which everyone is free to express themselves. Although there has been controversy about potential security issues related to the app, if current trends continue,netizens can expect TikTok to assume its place as the most popular social media platform in circulation for this tech-savvy generation.
Discussion Questions
Why is Tiktok so popular in the United States?
What would you post on Tiktok?
