TikTok: Pros and Cons
By: Brooke Szabo
Issue 2 Spring 2021
TikTok is a social platform that is geared towards teens. However, in the last year middle age adults have also become obsessed with it. The variety of posts and content is entertaining for all. Different opinions were asked to get a different perspective from teens and adults, to compare why they enjoy the app and what they dislike about it. Ashley a 40-year-old old mom of four, when asked she said she got TikTok and why she was quick to answer “I got it during quarantine because I was bored.” She then said she spends about an hour a day watching TikToks. She does not make them, however. Ansley and Victoria sophomores in high school said, “We make TikToks often and really like it.” Ansley and Victoria spend an average of one and a half to three hours on TikTok a day. Teens obviously have more time.
With the TikTok app, people can possibly earn money, if people have high rated videos and a lot of followers. A high profile Tiktok user can make an average of $150,000 a year. Both Ansley and Victoria said “No, I don’t have enough followers.” When asked if they made profit from TikTok. While TikTok can be fun there are some cons to the app. It is believed China runs the app and can steal data. Whether this is true or not is still unknown. At one-point Trump spoke of banning TikTok. This obviously did not happen as the app is still very active. One of the cons of TikToks is the mental health it can cause for users. Victoria said she thought Tik Tok could affect someone’s mental stability. She said, “ I think if someone constantly posted videos and no one liked them then they would feel unlike.” Ansley said, “I also think a lot of people comment with hate comments and that could potentially cause depression.”
All three ladies agreed that TikTok is a fun app they just enjoy watching. They have all learned something from it, whether it be a life hack, a dance or political information. So, while TikTok may not be the most liked app among some, it is a fun app that can provide hours of entertainment while learning how to dance to newly released songs. The app has pros and cons but it up to the user to decide their own opinion of it.
With the TikTok app, people can possibly earn money, if people have high rated videos and a lot of followers. A high profile Tiktok user can make an average of $150,000 a year. Both Ansley and Victoria said “No, I don’t have enough followers.” When asked if they made profit from TikTok. While TikTok can be fun there are some cons to the app. It is believed China runs the app and can steal data. Whether this is true or not is still unknown. At one-point Trump spoke of banning TikTok. This obviously did not happen as the app is still very active. One of the cons of TikToks is the mental health it can cause for users. Victoria said she thought Tik Tok could affect someone’s mental stability. She said, “ I think if someone constantly posted videos and no one liked them then they would feel unlike.” Ansley said, “I also think a lot of people comment with hate comments and that could potentially cause depression.”
All three ladies agreed that TikTok is a fun app they just enjoy watching. They have all learned something from it, whether it be a life hack, a dance or political information. So, while TikTok may not be the most liked app among some, it is a fun app that can provide hours of entertainment while learning how to dance to newly released songs. The app has pros and cons but it up to the user to decide their own opinion of it.
