Generation TikTok: 5 TikTok trends that enthralled the youth

ARTICLE: MARIA LETIZIA BALANAG | JANUARY 22, 2024.

TikTok became an avenue for people to consume and create content. From dance challenges to lip-syncing performances, the platform has reshaped the standard of online entertainment.

The Philippines is considered a creative hub for TikTok, giving rise to trends that have drawn worldwide attention over the years. As it is the home of the most engaged digital citizens worldwide, the country accumulated around 42.8 million TikTok users. While Filipino children spend 17% of their time scrolling on the app.

Its popularity is attributed to a variety of factors, including the rise of user-generated content, music integration, viral content and trends, entertainment value, and creative tools that dominated the majority of young people.

Thus, here are some of the trends this generation has been exploring inside the application:

1. Dance Crazes

TikTok saw a surge of uploads in dance videos since the app's launch in 2016, with new challenges popping up almost weekly. People danced along to these trends which became cultural phenomena for fun and also a means of gaining followers.

One of the most well-known TikTok dances—and, according to some, the hardest—is ‘Renegade’ which was popularized by famous content creators.

Among the children who gained an immense following on TikTok is Niana Guerrero, praised for her iconic dance choreography such as her video dancing to the song ‘Booty Work’ which gained over 55 million views.

2. Funny Skits

If you’re an active TikTok user, you probably know the platform is not only enclosed with music and dance but also a stage for content creators’ wit and humor.

Content creators like Sassa Gurl, Roce Ordoñez, and Esnyr Ranollo took the TikTok community to another level. With their creativity and enthusiasm, people were entertained and involved in their small skits. Together with them is Spencer Serafica who was hailed as the Comedy Creator of the Year in the recent 2023 TikTok Awards Philippines.

3. FoodTok

TikTok has spawned a new wave of food influencers. These creators have built large audiences by sharing their love for food through cooking tutorials, restaurant reviews, or by giving tips on their diets and lifestyles.

If this phrase seems familiar to you: “What happens if we put (insert any food you can think of) in lumpia wrappers?” you have probably watched one of her cooking tutorials on unlikely lumpia fillings.

Abi Marquez was hailed Lumpia Queen by her TikTok followers and owned the said catchphrase as she puts childhood comfort foods like ginataang bilo-bilo and even popcorn in lumpia wrappers, leading her to win the Foodie Content Creator of the Year at the TikTok Awards Philippines 2023.

Foodies and aspiring chefs-turned-TikTok content creators give young people the opportunity to learn cooking at a young age. The platform also featured talented creators like Abi Marquez showcasing the diversity of Filipino cuisine, even in the digital space.

4. Makeup Tutorials

TikTok is also a university for children aspiring to be beauty experts through makeup tutorials, skincare hacks, and grooming tips and tricks.

From quick tutorials to transformative challenges, ‘get ready with me’ (GRWM) Queen Criza Taa and other beauty content creators, such as the famous child actress Andrea Brillantes, who now owns a makeup line, continue to shape beauty standards, empower individuals, and foster a vibrant community where everyone can celebrate their beauty journey.

5. TikTok Academy

The app quickly transformed into a dynamic educational and informational platform that challenged traditional notions of learning. TikTok evolved into an educational entertainment channel, offering everything from trivia to study hacks, interactive challenges, quizzes, and even news reports.

Educators and students alike discover new ways to disseminate knowledge and develop skills, establishing its place as a game-changing force in contemporary education. According to the Reuters Digital News Report 2023, TikTok has grown the fastest among the social media platforms in the country, as accessed for news by 21% compared with only 2% in 2020.

From a short-form video app, TikTok became a part of our culture that significantly impacts how we live, share, and connect.

The platform’s journey over the years, from its modest beginnings to becoming a powerhouse for creativity, education, and community building, reflects the ever-changing nature of online culture and lifestyle trends.