TikTok

TikTok: The Phenomenon That’s Changing Social Media

Imagine a world where short, catchy videos can go viral in seconds, connecting people across the globe like never before. Welcome to TikTok, the social media sensation that has taken the internet by storm. Known as Douyin in mainland China and Hong Kong, this platform is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese internet company with a global reach.

Since its launch, TikTok has become one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with over two billion mobile downloads worldwide. The app’s success lies not just in its user-friendly interface but also in its sophisticated recommendation algorithms that connect content creators and influencers with new audiences. But as it grew, so did concerns about data privacy, mental health impacts, and even national security.

Let’s dive into the fascinating journey of TikTok, from its humble beginnings to becoming a global powerhouse. How did ByteDance create this app? What challenges has it faced, and what does its future hold?

The Birth of TikTok

TikTok was born out of the merger between Musical.ly, a social media video platform, and Douyin, which was launched by ByteDance in 2016. The app allows users to create short videos with music in the background, which can be sped up, slowed down, or edited with filters. It’s like having your own mini-music video studio right on your phone.

When TikTok merged with Musical.ly in August 2018, it became a global sensation almost overnight. By January 2018, the app was ranked first among free application downloads in Thailand and other countries. It has since been downloaded over 130 million times in the US and reached 2 billion downloads worldwide.

Notable celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Tony Hawk, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Will Smith, and Justin Bieber joined TikTok, further boosting its popularity. The app allowed creators to embed merchandise sale links into their videos in January 2019, opening up new revenue streams for both users and brands.

Expansion and Controversies

TikTok’s expansion overseas was planned by ByteDance, with the launch of TikTok as an overseas version of Douyin in 2017. The app quickly became a hit, but it also faced scrutiny over data privacy violations, mental health concerns, and misinformation.

Concerns over financial losses led to a $1.5 billion investment in Indonesian e-commerce business Tokopedia. In January 2025, Chinese officials began preliminary talks about potentially selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk if faced an impending ban due to national security concerns. A Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of a law forcing a sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. by 19 January 2025.

Other potential buyers included Project Liberty, Frank McCourt, Kevin O’Leary, Steve Mnuchin, Jimmy Donaldson, and Bobby Kotick. The app’s advertising revenue grew by 11% in the US in March 2023, with estimates predicting it will generate $14.15 billion in revenue in 2023.

Features and Impact

TikTok’s algorithm provides a personalized feed based on user activity and preferences, which is used to refine its algorithms and present similar content. The app also features ‘react’ and ‘duet’ capabilities, as well as storage for drafts.

Users can set their accounts as private and control who can view their content, including friends, public, or specific videos. The app includes a direct messaging feature with video sharing, emojis, and messages, as well as a live streaming feature available to users over 16 years old with at least 1,000 followers.

TikTok announced a ‘family safety mode’ in February 2020 for parents to control their children’s presence on the app. In September 2020, the app expanded its parental controls feature called ‘Family Pairing.’ The company launched a test feature allowing users to directly tip certain creators in October 2021.

TikTok started beta-testing Live Studio, a streaming software, in December 2021. In May 2022, the app announced TikTok Pulse, an ad revenue-sharing program. In July 2023, TikTok launched a new streaming service called TikTok Music, available only initially in Brazil and Indonesia.

Impact on Culture and Society

TikTok has spawned numerous viral trends, internet celebrities, and music trends worldwide. Duets have sparked many of these trends, and the app played a significant role in launching the careers of several stars, including Loren Gray, Baby Ariel, Zach King, and Taylor Swift’s music returned to the platform in April 2024 after Universal Music Group removed its catalogue from TikTok.

The platform has been used for various projects, including creating crowdsourced content for Ratatouille the Musical. However, it has received criticism for not paying royalties to artists whose music is used on the platform. A viral trend called ‘devious licks’ involves students vandalizing school property and posting videos on TikTok, leading to increasing vandalism and measures by schools to prevent damage.

Some students have been arrested for participating in a trend on TikTok. A Kia Challenge involved stealing cars without immobilizers, resulting in at least 14 crashes and eight deaths. Streamers acted like video-game characters in another trend. On Douyin, celebrities gained large followings. Midsize fashion gained exposure after creators talked about body size issues.

Privacy Concerns and Regulatory Scrutiny

TikTok has faced fines from authorities in Italy and the Netherlands for failing to protect underage users from harmful content. The platform has also been criticized for its lack of privacy settings, with some users requesting nude pictures or being targeted by sexual predators.

Privacy concerns have been raised regarding the app, including data collection and sharing with ByteDance. Experts consider TikTok’s privacy policy to be ‘vague’ and its implications ‘problematic.’ A study found that TikTok did not collect data beyond industry norms or without user permission. However, former employees complained about tracking users who had viewed LGBT-related content.

Concerns have been raised about the potential control and influence of the Chinese government over TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, due to China’s National Intelligence Law. Lawmakers criticized TikTok over consumer data sharing with China’s government through its parent company ByteDance. In June 2022, leaked audio recordings revealed employees in China had access to overseas data, including a ‘master admin’ who could see ‘everything.’

Future Prospects

TikTok’s future is uncertain due to ongoing regulatory scrutiny and national security concerns. However, the app continues to innovate with new features like TikTok Notes, which may be launched as a direct competitor to Instagram for photo sharing.

The growth of TikTok’s popularity has contributed to a rise in digital feminist movements and discourse, enabling marginalized communities to engage in discussion and dialogue more easily. However, the platform also allows for anti-feminist reinforcement of dominant social values, making it difficult to create a safe space for feminist challenges.

As we look ahead, TikTok will continue to evolve, balancing innovation with regulatory pressures. Will it succeed in navigating these challenges? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: TikTok has already left an indelible mark on the world of social media.