Nov. 25, 2021
By Vanessa Guevara
Staff Writer
TikTok, which has become the 8th most popular social media app in the world, came out in 2016, but it only caught my attention about a year-and-a-half ago. Nowadays, I spend about three hours on TikTok every day, generally scrolling through my feed in my free time or after school. Some might call it an addiction, but I consider it time well spent.
TikTok helps me escape the world, and it relieves my stress. After a long day in school or a rough day in general, I love to go on TikTok to wind down from my day. I like to scroll through my feed and stop to watch dance and humorous videos that catch my attention or give me a laugh.
TikTok encourages me to be myself. Watching people do their dances and poke fun at themselves makes me feel more comfortable being foolish and dancing the way I want to.
One of my favorite dance videos is Benny the Bull dancing to the Dip and Lean Challenge. Another amazing TikTok that I came across was posted by Jimmy Fallon of “The Tonight Show.” Jimmy Fallon was joined by TikTok influencer Charli D’Amelio dancing to the “OOH NA NA NA” Dance Challenge.
Some of the best TikToks combine dance and humor. For instance, Comedian Kevin Hart created a TikTok that is funny but also has a little bit of dancing at the end.
When I see a dance video I like, I am always interested in trying to learn the steps. While I do not post dancing videos on my TikTok account, I enjoy making them with my friends and sister.
Like many people, I became addicted to TikTok during the pandemic when there really was nothing else to do. It was a safe activity because it gave me a source of entertainment so I didn’t feel the need to go out and risk getting Covid-19.
Watching people do their dances and poke fun at themselves makes me feel more comfortable being foolish and dancing the way I want to.
TikTok also exposed me to new music artists. Before I started using the app, I tended to listen to the same singers and songs. However, TikTok introduced me to new songs and new singers. Two of my favorite performers I have come across on the app are singer Doja Cat and Rapper Megan Thee Stallion. And, because of TikTok, I now listen to them all the time and enjoy the music they make.
TikTok is addictive, and that’s fine with me. TikTok has never been a distraction for me. It has never caused me to lose sleep or avoid my responsibilities. I have my priorities in order, and TikTok has never gotten in the way of any of it.
TikTok is not putting me in any danger, and it’s not making me miss out on real life. If anything, it has enriched my life, and for that reason, I’ll always support the app.
Now it’s time for me to go because the clock is ticking, and I have a new dance to learn.
