Tiktok, a platform meant to bring joy to individuals by embracing creativity, slowly but surely turned into an escape from reality. People prioritized posting videos in hopes of going viral, becoming influencers and launching brand ideas. Although it worked in some people’s favor for a while, reality hit with the recent TikTok shutdown on Jan. 18, leaving nearly every user in shambles.
The app’s shutdown forced a harsh realization: Countless hours of scrolling had fostered short attention spans and an interminable craving for instant gratification. People’s disappointment revealed an unspoken addiction. The app’s initial goal to celebrate originality drastically morphed into a space where individuality was entirely lost.
The concept of TikTok has existed since 2014, when it was first known as Musical.ly. It became available globally to users in 2018, and from then on, it continuously grew in audience.
Initially, the app was a platform for teenagers to express themselves through various forms of art. Users could create dances to trending songs, showcase artwork, perform short skits and channel their creativity into 15-second videos. The app rapidly gained popularity, and the maximum video length increased to 10 minutes. This change allowed users to build personal brands and become influencers.
TikTok began to be treated as a form of employment — enticing to those who noticed how effortlessly they could gain views, likes and followers. It simultaneously turned into a favored pastime; though, in hindsight, a largely time-consuming one.
Small businesses thrived by connecting with cataloged audiences. Aspiring creators transformed their desires for fame into reality, landing what many would consider the ultimate dream job. Misunderstood individuals found a platform where they felt seen and heard — until it vanished in an instant.
The temporary ban served as a wake-up call for a generation highly dependent on an app that presents an idealized perception of happiness and success. Regardless, it felt like a true loss because on TikTok, everyone felt like someone. The app’s algorithm was strategically crafted to personalize “For You” pages that made each user feel understood and comforted. It had its charm, but behind the screen lay a much larger world — one that users had unknowingly ignored.
People consumed bits and pieces of global events, celebrity drama and past incidents — leaving them with a sense of being well-informed. Some claimed to have learned more from the app than during their years in school. The brevity appealed to them; short videos caught their attention since they were straight to the point. However, one cannot disregard this truth: Most key points and facts were mentioned mindlessly without context, sources or proof of reliability.
Users watched influencers flaunt their outwardly perfect lives, bodies, relationships and talents, yet they failed to see past the carefully presented facade. From trending food recipes and must-try vitamins to workout routines, tax tips and stain-removal hacks, TikTok has become the go-to source for everything. Whatever was trending, users felt compelled to try it — turning the app into a one-stop shop for advice, ideas and inspiration.
For many, TikTok has become as essential as the air they breathe. Influencers who thrived on the platform lost their main source of income, small businesses saw their growth reduce to a halt and Gen Z recognized it was being shaped by a single app — leaving originality behind. “I saw this on TikTok” or “This TikToker said” became the new conversation starter. People forgot how to conjure their own ideas, opinions and beliefs.
In the end, the real cost was not just the loss of TikTok. It was the realization of how easily the app could disappear — leaving all to reckon with the consequences of relying on something so fleeting.
