Gen Z Doesn’t Believe the TikTok Ban
Find out why inside.
Does Gen Z believe they’ll lose TikTok?
We asked our Youthtellers (ages 15-27), and 50% of them answered, “Probably not.” For over a year, young people have shrugged off the idea that the app—one that helped them through pandemic boredom—could be taken away in the U.S. But this week, it’s starting to feel like creators are finally coming to terms with the reality of it. Still, engagement remains as strong. Creators are sticking to their Vlogmas commitments, brand deals, and posting schedules. So, what's going on?
This mindset reflects some deeper aspects of Gen Z's experience and worldview:
Generational Skepticism – Growing up amidst frequent "crisis" announcements that often didn’t materialize—like concerns over social media regulation or environmental deadlines—has led Gen Z to approach warnings with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Resilience Through Change – Gen Z has seen platforms rise and fall rapidly. Yet, digital spaces have always found a way to endure, evolving in new forms. This constant change has built resilience and adaptability into their digital lives.
Disconnect from Authority – As digital natives, many Gen Zers view online spaces as independent from traditional government control. This creates a belief that the digital world operates outside the reach of institutional authority.
Savvy Workarounds – Tech-savvy and resourceful, Gen Z is adept at navigating restrictions with tools like VPNs, alternative apps, and other workarounds to maintain their digital connections.
Wishful Thinking – TikTok is deeply woven into Gen Z’s social life and culture, making it hard for many to even entertain the idea of life without it. This attachment likely fuels a sense of denial or optimism about the app’s future.
Instead of seeing this as naive, it reflects Gen Z's lived experience with ever-changing digital spaces and their pragmatic approach to navigating uncertainty. Whether it’s hope, resilience, or a deep attachment to TikTok, it’s clear that the idea of losing the platform is, for many, still hard to fathom.
Here's a New Dating Term to Keep an Eye On: Throning
Throning is the act of dating someone else to boost your social status. In this type of relationship, the reason to date someone is almost entirely based on one partner's social status or the number of zeros in their bank account. These relationships ignore emotional connection, placing a high importance on what one person can give to the other. Think: hypergamy, social climbing, dating up. None of these are new concepts but the social cosmos have aligned to give us Throning.
We think it's interesting that during times of economic uncertainty, young people become hyper-aware of supplementing their income and lifestyles with a new partner. It seems that this niche community would rather cry in a BMW than on a bus.
Young People Want to Dance Like No One's Watching
Sofia Richie dancing to Messy is viral, and discourse is headed in a few directions. But one thing’s clear: young people crave the freedom to dance freely (and even badly) not just online but, more importantly, in public. If the clubs are dead and overly performative, yet there’s a new viral dance every week, a void is ready to be filled. We’re eager to meet the brand that creates a space—or tech—that can match Gen Z’s energy.
*This article was originally posted on Substack. Click HERE to subscribe