The niche areas of TikTok are probably much better known than the sweeping TikToks on social justice are, but beyond frogtok, witchtok, and even beantok, Gen Z and Millennial users in particular have been using the app to raise awareness for several issues in our society, particularly over the last year or so. Whether through humor or just straight facts, TikTokers are using their videos to keep viewers focused and motivated to create change and inform others.
@arbacn we’re the generation of change
Some of these TikToks got creative, with point-of-view narratives set to a remix of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” and “Congratulations” by Post Malone to illustrate just how much injustice exists in society today, starting after last year’s resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.
@markellandroxan this is AMERICA. 🇺🇸 #fyp #foryou #EatEmUp #poseathome #InTheHouseparty #tiktokgraduation #cookinghacks #yearbook2020 #wipeitdown
♬ Childish Gambino – This Is America / Post Malone – Congratulations – carneyval
LGBTQ+ users also kept celebrating Pride long after June, whether using humor to advocate for trans acceptance, or showcasing the joy in their love with rainbows galore.
@bowtieinchicago You can take our flag but you can never take our pride #fyp #gay #pride
Even music can be used for a little social justice humor. A trend of TikToks set to “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book call out people who do what’s considered the bare minimum and expect to be lauded for it (because asking for consent shouldn’t earn you a gold medal!).
@ikingsebastian the bar is literally gone at this point #IndigenousDay #SharkWeek #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #xyzbca
@shoelaces_ that’s the bare minimum-
Sexist behavior is condemned by some TikTok users, who refuse to let respect for womxn die out with the #MeToo movement. They show the importance of being an active bystander, believing survivors, and generally being an ally to womxn everywhere.
@christiantheshowm I usually be minding my business but with everything going on rn you can never be too sure #fyp#iykyk
@waveornowave I’m scared for my life every time I report harassment but go off I guess 🙃 #sexualharassment #metoo #metoomovement #biologist #construction #mysoginy
With the surge of Black Lives Matter protests, Black people and BLM allies have taken to the app to keep the movement going. Black TikTokers often used humor to articulate their experiences, while BLM allies educate with metaphors to help those who benefit from privilege understand.
@jazmynjw Literally my life in corporate America #siliconevalley #blackatwork #comedy
@emillennial
Of course, essential workers are having a ball with TikTok as well, whether it’s a fast food worker poking fun at their own job, or having respect for the USPS (the backbone of this country, tbh). With last summer’s struggles, it sure needed a little TikTok love.
@kimmieemooree when you’re an essential worker but your job mainly consists of you bagging 200 chips a day #chilislife #fyp #thankyoucoronavirus #quarantinelife
And as vaccines finally became available – and COVID anti-vaxxers became more vocal – Gen Z worked to convince other users to do the right thing and protect their neighbors, through true education and a little bit of anti-vax shaming.
@trashling hello moderna i am available for hire as a Vaccine Influencer :) use my code FAUCI10 for your 10% discount! #covid #vaccine #fyp #foryoupage
@soogia1 You can add lyrically inept to to your long list of off putting personality traits. #getvaccinated #endthepandemic #Im_a_vaccine_hoochie
A lot of the uglier sides of society have been exposed – or perhaps, further exposed – over the last couple of years. If we can laugh off some of the stress and inform each other with TikTok, then please, post away!