TikTok is a fast-rising mobile application since it was launched in 2017 by a Chinese company, ByteDance. It boasts over 689 million monthly active users worldwide with the Philippines ranking 11th in the highest number of TikTok downloads. From viral dance crazes to funny lipsyncs, the app has become the new cool thing for Generation Z. Today, TikTok is not only used for good vibes, but also for serious and political discussions.
Over the last four years, TikTok grew into a platform for discourse and information, turning the app into an accidental news platform. Despite its ban on paid political advertisements, TikTok has become a powerful tool for social change. This so-called “TikTok Activism” was seen during the false rally turn-out of Donald Trump during the 2020 United States presidential election. Countless Tiktok users (specifically K-pop fans) bought registration tickets to the rally with no intention of showing up. Moreover, information regarding police brutality and Black Lives Matter trended due to the creative content TikTok users made to spread light on the issue.
In a local setting, the Philippines has also used TikTok to reach the younger audience. Last March, the hashtag #LikeAFilipina trended showcasing the various skills and traits of Filipina women in time for Women’s month. The Department of Health (DOH) has its own TikTok account where government workers demonstrated how to properly sanitize while dancing to a catchy tune. They have also used the hashtag #ChecktheFAQs to encourage the public to fact-check all the information they see online regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We take the responsibility of helping counter inauthentic, misleading or false information,” said TikTok Philippines Head for Public Policy Kristoffer Rada in an interview. He also added the gravity of fake news since it could have potential harm to the public. TikTok has actively collaborated with fact-checking partners to counteract the spread of misleading COVID-19 vaccine content.
However, the strength of the platform lies in the various voices of the youth that uses TikTok as a new breed of online activism. TikTok is an avenue for all sides, regardless of political affiliation, to be heard and to spread advocacies and propaganda.
Content creators such as Gab Campos (yourlologab) and Mark Averilla (macoydubs) use their massive following to inform the audience on issues that should be talked about, especially in the existing political climate. These content creators are not afraid to express their opinion even criticizing the current administration thru educational discussions and satirical skits, all in a minute or less.
Yet, where do we draw the line between the right to criticize and flat-out defamation of character?
Citizens have a right to demand transparency and accountability to safeguard people’s wellbeing. However, due to numerous cases of red-tagging, the people are afraid of being critical for fear of retaliation via loosely defined laws and brute force. To simply express criticism regarding vaccine rollout can lead to cyberbullying from online trolls. To simply speak out on feminism can lead people to quickly judge you as siding with one political affiliation.
This is possibly why the young generation of TikTok users utilize the app as their stage for social civic engagement to those outside of their own circle. Now is the time to properly inform the audience about different issues. Now is the time to go out of the comfort of your own privilege bubble to be the voice of those who are oppressed and in the minority.
Overall, through TikTok, the youth has proven that education does not have to be boring to get the message across. There is power in political performativity if it is done right. The youth who engage in discourse inside the app are those who will vote for our future leaders. What they see shapes their views on various social issues that are present in our community. What goes viral, what gets canceled, and what gets appreciated are a few of the many factors that can change one’s personal ideology. TikTok is the perfect avenue to get political – because ultimately, one can no longer choose to stay apolitical today.
Photo Source: Facebook/TikTok