TikTok has single-handedly taken over the world.
Whether it be a new learned fact or a new must-have product, most conversations today are fueled by TikTok, the circulator of modern culture. With this, people are constantly being exposed to a plethora of new videos, new influences, new products, and of course new trends.
Now does Tiktok’s success mean that all the content is super meaningful? No, not really. Most of TikTok is about providing mindless entertainment, like hey here’s a viral Vine from 10 years ago for a quick laugh; or want to find the newest review of a new beauty product, Mikayla just posted one! The purpose of TikTok content varies and as we all know our FYP is perfectly catered to what we like, comment on, repost, and share. Yet there is a trend that may be more important than the average TikTok trend.
The “Social Media is Fake” trend or the “Here are the things I am ashamed of” trend, which I feel truthfully captures the essence of being human. The trend consists of slideshows or the occasional sit-down conversations where creators open up about how they feel, what struggles they face, or the shame they experience. All of which they would normally keep off the internet.
What Is The Trend?
This trend is usually carried out in the same type of formate. A creator will create a picture slideshow where they insert text exposing the things they are struggling with or are ashamed of. For example, popular TikTok creator Signa Mae created her version of the trend. The Tiktok is captioned “Not everything is the way it seems,” and the video discloses 5 of her struggles, which vary from struggling with judgment online to feeling uncomfortable within her own body.
Another popular influencer Halle Sandberg, otherwise known as @hallesoswag, on Tiktok created her version of the trend, this time she focused on her struggles with mental health such as dealing with anxiety and seasonal depression. If you look at the comments you can see the overwhelming amount of praise and positivity such as:
“This makes me feel so seen Halle, I want to be friends with you”
“You are human. you are beautiful. you are kind”
Awareness
The “Social Media is Fake” trend is greater than the normal self-expression found on the app. It exposes a deeply personal part of someone’s life.
We all know that discussing personal issues can be a touchy topic. Now imagine posting for anyone with the app to see. This trend allows popular TikTok creators to express the intimate parts of their lives that they wouldn’t normally post about. Instead of the constant highlight reels, they become more honest with their audience.
For the day-to-day viewer, the trend does something else. Instead, the viewer may see their favorite TikTok creator discussing an issue they have in which they can relate to. Even if viewers can not completely relate, it authentically breaks down the wall between what is posted vs. individual struggles. Let’s be honest, how often do you see an influencer posting about their struggles? Not often enough, right?
Regardless, participating in the trend not only speaks truth to what an individual may be experiencing behind closed doors, but it also brings awareness to it. People become so wrapped up in their own struggles, that it becomes hard to recognize that everyone else experiences struggles of their own. The TikTok creators listed above are prime examples of so. Their lives may look perfect on their social media, but they experience struggles, just like everyone else.
Why We Need A Trend Like This…
It’s often believed that social media can only function off of negativity. TikTok isn’t exempt from this rule, but this trend proves that TikTok can also thrive off of positive messages. This is why I believe this trend stands out from others.
I and so many others are victims of posting essentially highlight reels of our lives. I know personally I only show points of my life that I am comfortable with people seeing. I prefer posting when I go out with my friends or when I am doing something fun. Although this isn’t an inaccurate portrayal of my life, there is way more to my life than what I choose to upload online.
With this trend, it allows anyone to expose personal parts of themselves. There is a space, or in this case, a trend, that allows people to showcase their struggles. We as a society need to see more of this. We are human, so why not show an inevitable part of being human? Struggle.
Although we have the power to post the highlights of our lives, we also have the power to talk about uncomfortable, hard-to-discuss topics like personal struggles. And the more we talk about it, the more normalized it becomes.
So give the trend a watch, I can promise you it’s worth your time.