Young politics fans are using TikTok to engage with their generation about the US election and politics. Millennial and Gen Zers are using the platform, which has around 500 million users worldwide, to create videos in popular meme-like formats.
The platform allows users to create 15 second or one-minute videos with the option to appropriate sounds and music from other videos. Its main page, called a ‘For You’ page, is targeted specifically at the user, via algorithms based on content previously liked or watched.
Like Twitter, political ads are banned on the site. The Republican and Democrat campaigns have focused on platforms that do allow ads, like Facebook and Google.
Despite the ban, highly political content has become a feature on the platform on the lead up to the US election. The most prominent have been content creator collectives called ‘HypeHouses,’ groups that post content with a similar theme, with a Republican and a Democratic Hype House.
The Republican Hype House has 900,000 followers and the Dem Hype House has almost 200,000 followers.
And their videos go viral. A video posted by the Republican Hype House of a young woman analysing Biden’s tax policies has amassed 11.6K views. A video on the Dem Hype House about the Supreme Court has 12.1K likes.
Harry Sission is an 18-year-old high school student who is part of the Dem Hype House, making his own political content before joining the team.
“My generation is one of the most politically active generations we’ve seen in a long time,” he said.
“When I joined TikTok, I really saw the scope of that, how millions of kids across America are politically involved.
“Especially my friend group, we are very politically involved.”
Harry, from New York, was only 14 when Donald Trump was elected president, but he said he was affected by that election and has since been politically engaged.
“I truly believe TikTok will have a major influence, partially on this election but definitely for elections to come. I have people messaging me saying ‘Hey I was never interested in politics until I came across the Democratic Hype House or your account’."
Harry believes those using TikTok who have just turned 18 may be more influenced to vote in the election, compared to if they were not on the platform.
Dr Jolynna Sinanan is from the University of Sydney and is an expert on digital media. She said that the proliferation of engaged youth is a product of the times and the platforms available
“People in highschool and their early twenties have spent so much more time on different media platforms this year because of lockdowns. All of their entertainment, social and informational lives are online,” she said.
“Their exposure to contemporary information has increased. Also, political commentary is creeping in on their social engagement platforms.
“I would argue that young people are definitely more politically aware simply because of the number of times on platforms and it is becoming more visible on platforms like TikTok.”
Making Headlines
President Trump has threatened to ban TikTok, owned by Chinese company Bytedance, labelling it a security risk. He then approved a deal allowing Silicon Valley giant Oracle to become the data partner for TikTok to avert a shutdown.
In June, TikTok users were credited with orchestrating a low attendance at a Trump rally in Tulsa. A viral video on the app encouraged users to register online for the event, with the aim of organisers overestimating attendance and discouraging genuine attendees to go.
The White House had promised the much-hyped event would be flooded with up to 100,000 people.
On the day of the rally, an outside “overflow” area was dismantled after it became clear the attendance wouldn’t warrant the extra stage. Large sections of the 19,000-capacity venue were empty.
The Trump campaign has been adamant they were not duped but was victim to “fake news media” for reporting on health concerns around the event.
Earlier this month, Claudia Conway, the daughter of Donald Trump’s ex-senior advisor Kellyanne Conway, used TikTok to break the news that both she and her mother had tested positive for COVID-19.
"im furious. wear your masks. dont listen to our idiot f--king president,” she wrote.
The 15-year-old then speculated over the health of the US President.
“Guys lmao, he’s not doing better,” Claudia wrote on Tik Tok on Tuesday morning.
“He is so ridiculous. Apparently (sic) he is doing badly lol and they are doing what they can to stabilize him,” she added.
Claudia Conway’s left-wing political views and scathing criticism of her parents have made her a Tik Tok sensation, gaining her more than one million followers. Claudia went viral on Tik Tok earlier this year when she posted about her support for the Black Lives Matter movement and dislike for Donald Trump.
Dr Jolynna Sinanan said that the ability for young people on these platforms to keep up with the quickly evolving memes give them power.
“You have to be so quick to keep up with the political circumstances that produce the reference but also the humour that has produced that reference. It is so quick, young people are at the forefront and politicians are not so-good at this,” she said.
“Tik Tok has the potential for young people to use their generational power of social humour.”
US ELECTION DIARIES:
US Election Diaries: Traditional Values
