TikTok: App of the Century
February 2, 2023
TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos set to music. This app was originally called Musically and was very popular among the youth, but since its growth and development into TikTok, it’s now become an app popular with all age groups.
The platform was originally launched in 2016 by the Chinese company ByteDance and was Douyin in China. In 2017, ByteDance launched a global version of the app and called it TikTok. It quickly gained popularity nationwide, growing the platform to over 1 billion active users worldwide.
One of the most unique features about TikTok is its algorithm. TikTok uses an algorithm, which uses machine learning to recommend videos to users based on their interest and viewing history. This algorithm has been praised for its ability to surface new and interesting content, but it has also been criticized for its potential to spread misinformation.
A huge controversy surrounding TikTok actually is this algorithm. Many government officials have been trying to get TikTok banned in the U.S. for its potential to spread misinformation and propaganda. Government officials see this app as a threat to U.S. citizens since the app is from China, therefore, not under U.S. regulation and control. These officials are worried about how much information the Chinese government is able to obtain from U.S. citizens through the use of this app and see it as a danger to citizens around the country.
Overall TikTok is a very entertaining app and something that can easily suck you in, causing you to lose track of time. Whether the app is actually dangerous or not is still under investigation and answers are likely to be given within the near future.