Since TikTok launched in 2016, the app has progressively gained popularity surpassing YouTube, Instagram, and many other social media platforms. Although TikTok has been very beneficial for consumers and companies, the app also includes many negative aspects concerning individuals’ mental health. Senior Nika Ghomizadeh comments on her perspective regarding TikTok.

TikTok has always been popular, but it was not until pre-coronavirus where the app became more successful. During quarantine, people relied on TikTok as a form of communication because many felt isolated from the world. “It helped me during Covid because it was a way to interact with people where we were all going through the same thing,” said Ghomizadeh.

Nowadays, people prefer watching a 15-second video on TikTok rather than a 10-minute video on YouTube simply because they do not have the patience or time. “Your attention span isn’t that long, so it is easier to watch shorter videos,” Ghomizadeh said.

TikTok has impacted the Santa Margarita Catholic High School community for the better by raising awareness about real-world issues and displaying relatable content. Everyone can feel at ease knowing others are going through the same thing. “You learn a lot from TikTok because everyone’s posting on it, and you always have someone to relate to,” Ghomizadeh said.

However, TikTok is also very addictive because they design the app to manipulate viewers with videos matching their specific interests. “They make the For You page, for you…,” Ghomizadeh said.

TikTok is also a platform used to become famous, but sometimes fame can cause people to act differently. The app is becoming toxic because it affects people’s mental health, and everyone is competing to be number one. In addition, the app itself involves a lot of cancel culture where it is easy to be hated on and attacked over the slightest things. TikTok stars like Bryce Hall, Zoe Laverne, and many other victims have been a part of the cancel culture. “You will get canceled for something minuscule and not horrible you should always give someone a second chance,” Ghomizadeh said.