Like a lot of moms, I spend a solid chunk of my day in the school carline. Some days, I use that time to catch up on emails or have a Diet Coke in peace, but most of the time, I scroll TikTok. What started as a silly distraction has slowly become one of the most fascinating windows into the world. After reading a recent Forbes article titled “TikTok Is a Beacon of Democracy in the Social Media Landscape,” I realized I was not experiencing this TikTok love in a vacuum. A lot of people feel like this platform is unique and special. 

The article explains that unlike platforms like Instagram or Facebook, TikTok gives everyday people a real chance to be heard. The algorithm does not just favor the accounts with millions of followers. It pushes content based on interest, not popularity. So someone sharing a parenting hack from their kitchen has just as much of a shot at going viral as a celebrity influencer. That makes the platform feel a lot more open and authentic.

 And, for me, my favorite part is that it creates a sense of community when you realize that a LOT of people out there are interested in the same things as you. Whether that is something weird and niche, like the last scene in the 1995 movie, Casper, where Devon Sawa walks down the stairs or something mundane and dorky like dancing to gangster rap to clean your kitchen, seeing influencers out there sharing the same experiences as you can be really comforting. 

As a mom, I have also found it really informative. I have learned how to get Sharpie off of car upholstery, found new recipes for picky eaters, and listened to moms around the world talk honestly about the highs and lows of parenting. I have also seen teenagers speak up about mental health, teachers share behind the scenes glimpses of classroom life, and small business owners thrive. TikTok gives a platform to people who do not always get one. 

It is definitely not perfect. There are concerns about privacy and content moderation. But when it comes to making social media feel more democratic and real, TikTok is leading the way. So don’t feel too bad next time you are doom scrolling TikTok at the end of the day, when you should be sleeping. You are engaging in something more meaningful than just silly dance trends. You are witnessing a whole new kind of community. 

Source:

Broughel, J. (2024, April 19). TikTok is a beacon of democracy in the social media landscape. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesbroughel/2024/04/19/tiktok-is-a-beacon-of-democracy-in-the-social-media-hellscape/