TikTok is a very popular video sharing app, found on both desktop and mobile- but is probably most popular on mobile. While there is YouTube for sharing videos, TikTok is primarily for shorts, or short videos, ranging in topics. Most are funny and meant for laughs, for sharing quick tips, and also for challenges—which most recently TikTok has gotten in legal trouble over a ‘Blackout Challenge’. Primarily this app is used to just pass time, have some laughs, and (for some) get an online following. [1]
While TikTok is meant for younger generations, even older generations use it daily. People of any age can watch the short videos, as even the videos done by younger generations get laughs out of the older generation—and vice versa! TikTok uses an FYP (For You Page) algorithm to get similar content to what people watch, based on what they’ve already seen. Did you just watch a few dance videos? They’ll show you a few more you might like! All generations can get in on trends as well, where you record videos following a short dance or audio clip and post it for others to view. [2]
Another popular mobile app is Instagram, a picture-sharing and video-sharing app used by millions of people all over the world- both individuals and businesses. When you decide to share a picture (or short video) you can use hashtags to get more viewers (as a lot of people search for certain tags) and you can follow other people to see their content regularly. This is good for businesses, especially photographers and small businesses, as the site is free to use and can get their products seen by thousands (and more) daily. There is a filter program that you can use on your photographs, to change the hues and saturations of them to give a different look. [3]
Instagram is mostly used by the younger generations (under 40 years old) but it’s not to say the older generations don’t use the app. A lot of businesses, especially smaller businesses and home-ran businesses use Instagram, so even the mom-and-pop stores can get an influx of customers with a little help from the networking service. When you make a post to Instagram, you can also post it to Facebook- as long as you link your two accounts- as Facebook has acquired the app.
There is a dark side to Instagram however, despite the good it could do for people. There’s a list of known impact on individuals including anxiety, addiction, mental health (especially to younger generations under 25), social exclusion, alcohol/drug use, self-harm risks and pedophilia. A majority of Instagram users are under 23 years old, and there were plans (at one point) to launch an Instagram for children under 13. Social media already harms self-image concerns for people all over the world (especially adolescent females) and if children had their own version, it would make it all to easier for pedophiles to get access to their photos and communicate with them (more than they already can). [4]
[1] What Is the Blackout Challenge and What Has TikTok Said About It? (msn.com)
[2] Why Is TikTok So Popular? Why the Social Network Is Unique (howtogeek.com)
[3] Instagram for Business: Marketing on Instagram | Instagram for Business