As educators across the UK and the world grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by digital learning, an unlikely hero has emerged: TikTok. What was once the domain of dance challenges and lip-syncing may be the next frontier in education. This pivot to platforms like TikTok signifies a broader shift in pedagogy that values accessibility and engagement as much as information delivery. It’s about meeting students where they are on an app that commands their attention and leveraging that space for educational gain.
The unlikely popularity and emergence of TikTok
Following its global launch in 2016, TikTok rapidly gained popularity among younger demographics, mainly Gen Z users(those born between 1997 and 2012). Initially, its content was heavily entertainment-focused, with viral dances, lip-sync videos, and comedy sketches dominating the platform.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 played a crucial role in TikTok’s surge in popularity. People worldwide sought solace during the lockdown, and TikTok’s user base expanded significantly, with millennials, Gen Xers, and even Boomers signing up for the platform.
This period saw a diversification of content, with users turning to TikTok not just for entertainment but also for DIY tips, cooking recipes, educational content, and fitness motivations. The platform became a source of information and entertainment, with creators leveraging its features to produce a wide range of content.
TikTok as an information hub: The rise of educational influencers
TikTok has evolved beyond just an entertainment platform. Over time, users have started consuming and sharing more news-related content, political commentary, and social discussion. The platform has become a source of news and information for younger audiences, with creators and journalists adapting their content to fit the platform’s format. Moreover, teachers and educators have also started using TikTok to share their knowledge and skills with their young audience.
The TikTok “What’s Next Trend Report 2024” highlights some interesting statistics about the app’s unique role in introducing users to new topics and hyper-specific interests. According to the report, users are 1.8 times more likely to agree that TikTok exposes them to new topics they may not have discovered otherwise, compared to traditional social media platforms. Specifically, 40% of TikTok users reported discovering new interests in the app, while only 22% of users on other social media platforms reported the same.
This data suggests that TikTok has become a go-to platform for users seeking new information and experiences. It may be more user-friendly and convenient than other popular platforms like Google or YouTube, which are popular with the masses. The report also highlights TikTok’s visual support, which likely contributes to its ability to capture and retain users’ attention. Overall, these findings demonstrate the significant demand and popularity of TikTok as a platform for discovering and exploring new content.
More than 60% of TikTok users belong to Gen Z, making it an ideal platform for educators to leverage their skills. For instance, educational influencers like Instant English (Chris) have amassed over 5 million followers on TikTok by teaching the basics of the English language. Other rising educational influencers like Olivia (@biologywitholivia) help students with GSCE and A-level biology, while @mathwithmisschang helps with mathematics. While the UK is equipped with these skilled educators on TikTok, as a global app, students in the UK can learn from educators from other popular countries, gaining a cultural experience online.
Incorporating TikTok into education also offers a nuanced benefit: it provides a different entry point to the curriculum, particularly for students who may be hesitant to ask for help in a traditional classroom setting. The asynchronous nature of video content allows students to engage with the material on their terms and timelines, often leading to deeper understanding.
Every Hero Has Its Flaws
TikTok has found its way into classrooms, but using it as an educational tool has downsides. The app can be highly distracting, so balancing engagement with educational value is essential. Teachers and educators must closely monitor interactions to maintain a proper learning environment.
Security concerns are also associated with TikTok, such as inappropriate content and the use and disclosure of its users’ personal information. TikTok allows users to contact anyone worldwide, which comes with its own host of hazards. Predators may use the direct messages and duets features to send young users explicit messages, and the app’s format encourages interaction, which could tempt kids to interact with other users.
On the 15th of September, 2023, TikTok was fined €345 million by the European regulatory authorities, citing the company’s failure to safeguard the privacy of children. This is the first instance where TikTok has faced any legal consequences for violating privacy laws. The investigation was led by the Irish authorities, who found that the default sign-up process for teenagers made their accounts public, and this setting also enabled children under 13 years to access the platform despite being prohibited from having accounts.
In a more recent instance, the US House of Representatives recently passed a bill requiring TikTok’s Chinese developer to divest from the company or be removed from US app stores. However, this bill opposes the fact that most of the app’s users are from the USA, with a total of 170 million users.
Still, sceptics may question whether TikTok can enrich education or repackage content into palatable snippets that erode the depth of learning. To this end, TikTok should not be viewed as a replacement for traditional teaching methods but as a complementary tool that brings diversity to teaching strategies and caters to varied learning styles.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern education, platforms like TikTok offer educators a way to break through the noise, connect with students, and make learning more relatable. TikTok reminds us that education need not be confined to textbooks and classrooms. In the digital age, teachers have the opportunity—perhaps the responsibility—to innovate, and TikTok is just one example of how the boundaries of education can be expanded.
In conclusion, while TikTok may not be the panacea for all educational challenges, it represents a broader trend towards micro-learning and the gamification of education. Its success in the classroom hinges on the ability of educators to harness its strengths – engagement and accessibility – while mitigating its weaknesses. If navigated thoughtfully, TikTok has the potential to add a dynamic layer to educational strategies, making learning not just informative but truly transformative.