To The Tik Tok Nay-Sayers and Judgers
A more readable version of a Twitter thread that I just posted at https://twitter.com/barker_samuel_l
(particularly for those over the age of 18, and anyone who has ever used the word ‘cringe’ in their response to it, from someone who has done the very same in the past)
1. You need to learn how to use the app. Tap the screen to pause the video. Tap it again to resume. Don’t like the video? Scroll down, or (and this is the most important feature of Tik Tok) long-press the screen and tap “Not interested.”
2. If you do like the video, and you want to see more like it, interact with the video somehow — like it, comment on it, share it. You will slowly start to see more videos like the ones you interact with, until eventually your feed is almost all content that you enjoy.
3. You probably won’t care about most of the content that shows up when you first download and open Tik Tok. That’s okay. People like different things.
4. Spend a little more than 2 minutes when you first download the app scrolling and either ignoring, or watching through full videos, of the content on Tik Tok. The algorithm doesn’t know what you want yet. And if, after a while, certain content keeps showing up on your “For You” page it’s because you’re either watching that kind of content and engaging with that content often (liking, sharing, commenting, duetting, whatever), or because you’re not doing exactly what I told you to do in point 1.
5. Seriously, the “Not interested” feature is so incredibly powerful, use it.
6. Stop passing judgment on videos before they get to the ‘punchline’ of the content — yes, you can often tell if a video is something you’ll enjoy, but also keep in mind that Tik Tok often toys with set-ups and reversals.
7. If you are terming certain videos or content to be ‘cringe’ because they aren’t specifically what you want to watch, or what you enjoy, you may want to refer back to point 1.
8. If you are placing judgment upon the young people using the app, stop watching them (I refer you back to point 1) and stop trying to gatekeep or pass judgment on the new ways that young people, particularly young women, express themselves or enjoy themselves.
a. There is a long history of society condemning and judging the ways that young women have enjoyed themselves — the music they like, the books they like, the movies they like, the games they like. How about we stop doing that, yeah?
9. If you are placing judgment upon the older people using the app simply because you think their content is cringe, stop watching them (I refer you back to point 1.).
a. If you actually have a genuine concern about that adult’s content (and by this I do not mean sex-work/sexual content from consenting adults, or adult content, but rather genuinely concerning content and potentially predatory or dangerous content such as hate speech, grooming, or bigotry) report it.
b. Having said that, Tik Tok often doesn’t seem to actually care much about moderating bigotry and discrimination until they get enough reports on it. Blatant hate speech and bigotry can come back with a response of not violating the terms of use. And, unfortunately, there are some incredibly toxic accounts on Tik Tok. But such is the case for every social media anyway. And you’re reading this on Twitter*. Dot dot dot.
10. Content that you do not like is not invalid. Not all videos on Tik Tok are made for you. Not all the videos you like on Tik Tok will be enjoyed by other people. Remember that opinions are valid, but yours does not override everyone else’s. I refer you back to point 1.
11. Seriously, if you’re an old person complaining about the dance videos, stop fucking complaining about young people having fun. You did stupid shit too as a kid.
12. Final Summation: all of you passing judgment on Tik Tok for being “cringe” because it didn’t immediately show you the content you want to see sound like someone trying to use a TV for the first time and giving up because they don’t know how to use a remote.
13. More Final Summation: Spend a little time getting to actually know and understand Tik Tok, finding creators whose content you like, finding the side of Tik Tok that most suits you, and coming to grips with the audios and trends, and you’ll understand why so many people use it. It’s a strange place with an incredibly diverse amount of content, with probably something for anyone.
*Well, they were. You’re reading this on Medium. Probably. There’s bad shit on here too, though, let’s be real.
