TikTok is making girls go viral with dizzying speed. It’s no secret that a majority of TikTok’s users are teens, and according to YPulse’s most recent social media survey, 69% of Gen Z females use the app compared to 39% of Gen Z males. The platform certainly has a track record of teen girls “achieving viral fame”: From VSCO and e-girls to Charli D’Amelio, and most recently Mooptopia. Some even have “devoted fandoms.” However, according to experts, viral fame can be a “mixed bag” and sets up the potential for “bizarre consequences and new pressures,” which can be scary and jarring. It can also overwhelm parents, who might not be able to keep up with what their kids are sharing or protect them from the harassment of demanding or “creepy” followers. (The Atlantic)
