On Tuesday afternoon, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I deleted TikTok from my phone.
As dramatic as that characterization may sound, I assure you it's fitting. Over the last six years, TikTok has been a trusty companion that's consumed an immeasurable amount of my free (and not-so-free) time. But as new app ownership takes over in the US, something has irrevocably changed. The algorithm, which once made TikTok so addicting, has been missing the mark, and people are noticing.
Along with billions of other people around the world, I've spent countless hours on TikTok laughing over the silliest videos. I've bonded with strangers who share my interests and sense of humor, and made niche references that only other people who are chronically online would understand. And I've enjoyed the thrill of watching my videos go viral -- a feat I rarely achieved on any other social network, no matter how hard I tried.
All of these elements made TikTok my favorite social platform -- though it certainly has its issues. Misinformation spreads far and fast. Negative body image can be exacerbated by content on the platform, and sponsored videos often go unlabeled. TikTok's bite-sized videos seem to have zapped our collective attention spans (watching a movie without picking up my phone feels like a Herculean feat). The app thrives on promoting short-lived trends and "viral" products no one needs. And like other social media sites, TikTok has recently been overrun by AI slop, though it's testing measures to address the issue.
Still, much of the content I found on TikTok was relatable, helpful, educational and entertaining. The app offered a welcome reprieve from the chaos of life, beginning with a pandemic and continuing into an ever-more-contentious political climate -- as well as personal ups and downs. When I needed an escape, I'd pull up TikTok and instantly feel better. The laughs were practically guaranteed, thanks to an algorithm that knew me so well.
I never expected to ditch TikTok so suddenly. Especially since I remained loyal to the app despite alleged data-privacy concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. How could I walk away from something that kept me so entertained and informed? When TikTok (temporarily) went dark in the US last January, I was shocked that something so beloved could disappear.
Now, while I can technically still access TikTok, it feels like it's truly gone.
What made TikTok special
When I joined TikTok in January 2020, it was a welcome reprieve from the overly curated content that had taken over Instagram. Instead of aspirational posts peddling 30-step makeup routines or unrealistically pristine homes, TikTok served up people dolling out unhinged skits, relatable rants and hilarious impressions. Creators could get thousands, if not millions, of views without looking like a Kardashian. Being authentic was all that mattered. Anyone had a shot at being widely promoted by the algorithm, regardless of their follower count.
Over the years, more of that sponsored, influencer-driven content crept onto TikTok as well. But the app maintained its fair share of unpolished genuineness as well. For every model flaunting perfect skin and a designer wardrobe, a handful of everyday people graced my For You page rocking messy buns and mismatched pajama sets while belting Taylor Swift songs.
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