How TikTok Changed How We Learn

Written by: Sitara Nair

Popular social media app TikTok is filled with all kinds of content, from relevant historical news to silly fast-food trends; the app has something for everyone. It fills a user’s “For You Page” with short videos (which can be up to 10 minutes, but usually around 1 minute) by using a carefully curated algorithm to show people what they want to see. This consistent inflow of information allows users to learn new facts they might’ve never even wanted to learn in the first place, changing how we as people learn new stuff! With around two billion users on TikTok, so many people are consuming information differently, so let’s learn how that happens. 

Quick And Easy Learning

TikTok is filled with short 10-30 second videos, so this “bite-sized” format makes information easy to remember. On these videos, creators add stimulating visuals, captions, and sounds to help the info “stick”. And as of 2023, Gallup News reports that teens spend about 1.5 hours each day on TikTok; this constant flow of swiping exposes people to tons of facts. These teens aren’t going on the app in search of information; they just happen to stumble across it on their For You Pages. Basically, learning becomes “accidental” in a way; users aren’t studying it but still picking up quick info and facts from these videos. 

Entertainment to Education

TikTok has the incredible ability to make learning feel fun! Creators can use humor, storytelling, and even quick hooks with phrases like “Did YOU know..” or “Here’s a quick fact” to engage audiences in their content and, in turn, make the information they provide more interesting to learn! Additionally, with editing styles like fast cuts, memes, green screens, or even filters, creators hook audiences into their content, making boring topics enjoyable to learn! Additionally, the unpredictability in each swipe and the uncertainty of what kind of content a user will be consuming that specific day hooks people and each swipe gives them a dopamine hit. These short video creators use this dopamine factor to keep people watching and learning. These factors create an overall pleasant or enjoyable form of learning, and that makes teens prefer this over textbooks or lectures. 

The Unfortunate Downsides

However, this seemingly positive experience can also create problems in learning. Some creators take advantage of TikTok’s ability to spread information and use it just as a money-making tactic rather than an outlet for the positive spread of news. Facts can easily get oversimplified in these short videos, and users can miss out context, overall leading to the wrong perception being pushed forward. Creators who care more about views than accuracy often spread misconceptions, myths, and old facts, and since users aren’t exactly “searching” or “digging deeper” into the content they are being sold, they might believe false info. For example, there are tons of “health hacks” on TikTok to cure illnesses, most of which often use tactics that aren’t medically backed up or proven, spreading misinformation. So, it’s essential to fact-check your TikTok feed for important information and to understand that, while it is a great way to learn, misinformation can spread easily!

Despite these concerns, TikTok can still be a fantastic place to learn when creators take the time to research, verify, and present information responsibly! Many accounts focus on sharing accurate, engaging stories that are meant to inform the general public, with the true goal of teaching users. When creators are careful with their sources, TikTok becomes a space where learning can be fun, approachable, and trustworthy! If viewers choose to follow accounts that value accuracy, they can still enjoy quick facts and interesting stories without worrying about being misinformed! For example, our TikTok (@whats.the.buzz_) provides well-thought-out, trustworthy articles for users to trust!