The popular mobile app TikTok has been garnering positive and negative attention throughout the U.S. by the media over the past few months as a result of being subjected to multiple controversies and scandals. Most teenagers and young adults probably have this app on their phone and are actively posting on it. Though the success of this app has been widespread, many people are also arguing that TikTok “is not worth the hype.”  So, the question is: Is TikTok worth all the recognition that it has received?

TikTok was created by the same creators of the app Musically. Musically had the same success as TikTok, but a few years after its release, the creators took the app down, making it unavailable in app stores. Soon after Musically was drawn from the internet, Tiktok appeared.  

Users on TikTok are able to make 10 to 15 second videos of themselves and their friends dancing along to popular songs. Many different dances have been created by some of the most popular users of the app and each of these dances are dedicated to a song. Some celebrities that have had their songs featured on TikTok include Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. Many artists have garnered their fame from TikTok, and it feels absurd that a person can become a mainstream media artist just from having a song of theirs gain popularity on an app. 

According to the website famousbirthdays.com, Charlie D’Amelio, a popular TikTok star, is the number one most famous person in the world. This has caused a bit of outrage, people arguing that a mainstream media star or a public figure should have the spot, not a social media influencer. Others have argued that D’Amelio’s influence on teenagers and kids is what has given her the spot and that it is completely deserved. 

Some parents have shown concern about whether or not it is safe for their children to be on TikTok.

“TikTok in either feed might also feature content that’s highly personal… Not only are these videos potentially disturbing to viewers who see them in passing, but reactions to post might encourage self-harm,” said Maressa Brown from the Explore Parents website. 

All social media sites run the risk of exposing their users to potentially dangerous situations, but because of the size of TikTok, this risk seems to be much higher. 

“We’re gonna keep looking at TikTok; we’re thinking about making a decision because there’s no question that what the Big Tech companies are doing is very bad,”  said President Trump in regards to whether or not TikTok is going to be banned in the U.S. 

Many government officials have deemed the app unsafe and a way to put the users’ private information in the Chinese government’s hands. There will no doubt be an uproar of rage if the app ends up getting banned; Many loyal participants have voiced their anger at the mere idea of the app being banned.