How Did TikTok Affect Trends & Culture In Our Lives?

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For Gen Z, TikTok is more than just a platform; it is a place to express creativity, self-expression, and community-building. With the help of TikTok, the ideas can spread quickly, making it a trend-setting powerhouse.

Let me break it down for you: these are things we might have participated in or seen, but still need to fully realise!

TikTok has popularised micro-trend fashion such as street style, soft girl, clean girl, coquette, old-money, grunge dark, casual, and the list goes on!

Influencers play an important role in becoming role models, inspiring users to explore different styles that suit their body types.

For example, Outfit Of The Day (OOTD) videos inspire users to dress well for any occasion. This trend has led brands to closely monitor TikTok, adjusting their collections to appeal to Gen Z audiences.

This also applies to beauty trends. Ask any TikTok users who pay attention to makeup, and they will give you similar recommendations.

I'm talking about brands such as Skintific, Dazzled Me, Glad2Glow, Judydoll, and many more. These beauty brands are dominating TikTok, thanks to the power of user reviews. I'm sure you have heard of them, right?

TikTok has made many songs go viral globally, including in Malaysia, making it a great platform for promotion. TikTok dancing, choir clips, and memes have proven that it's an easy way to discover new music.

For example, NewJeans's ETA went viral again when popular Twitch streamer Jason jammed to it live, helping the group gain new listeners. Artistes can use the platform to find their target audience, and with TikTok democratising music discovery, artistes of any genre can achieve overnight fame.

Social media moves very quickly, but some memes remain timeless. This means they're always reusable, often spreading rapidly across the platform and transcending TikTok to dominate other social media platforms.

Recent examples include the "chill guy", "let him cook", and "who is this DIVA <3" memes.

If these don't ring a bell, go check them out! You'll be laughing in no time!

We can learn so many things from creators, which is beneficial for both parties. The latest cooking trend to take TikTok by storm is Tini's Mac and Cheese recipe!

More creators are helping users learn things every day. I could accidentally lock myself out, and there's already a video on how to fix it. You can even search "how to tie my shoe", and a tutorial will pop up.

Since not everyone can live the same lifestyle, TikTok provides a platform for anyone to become a creator. For example, one creator shared how to make appetisers, heavy meals, and desserts on a budget of just USD3, helping families who struggle to put food on the table.

Have you heard of the renegade challenge from the COVID-19 period? Even today, you can find people who remember it and still dance to it. The participation is unlimited.

Also, major campaigns like #SavePalestine, #Boycottartists, #BlackLivesMatter, and #SaveTheTurtles have sparked conversations among Gen Z about activism and responsibility.

I'd say TikTok's algorithm is the GOAT. Each user's 'For You Page' is highly personalised, creating a unique experience and boosting niche content creators.

This algorithm ensures that even small creators can go viral, democratising trend-setting.

TikTok represents the essence of Gen Z culture which is fast-paced, creative, and deeply connected to digital experiences. It is a reflection of how this generation consumes and influences media in real time, reshaping industries and societal norms.

Camilla Khairizal is a university student pursuing a degree while working in social media and creative fields, passionate about storytelling, digital content, and impactful creative work.