How Tiktok is Influencing Youth Culture

By Abigael Ngina

TikTok has grown from a simple video-sharing app into a powerful force shaping youth culture worldwide. Teens now spend hours scrolling through short videos featuring everything from dance challenges and comedy skits to fashion tips, beauty tutorials, and life hacks. These trends spread rapidly, giving young people the opportunity to participate in a shared global culture that extends far beyond their local communities.

The platform offers more than entertainment. It has become a space for self-expression and activism, allowing teens to speak out on issues such as mental health, climate change, and social justice. By creating and remixing content, young people are joining conversations that were once dominated by adults, using creativity to raise awareness and influence change.

Fashion and lifestyle trends also thrive on TikTok. Viral videos often shape what teens wear, how they style themselves, and even what products they purchase. According to a 2025 GlobalWebIndex report, 60 percent of Gen Z consumers have bought something they first discovered on the app. However, experts warn that the pressure to go viral and the culture of constant comparison can negatively affect self-esteem and mental health.

Despite these challenges, TikTok continues to redefine how teens connect, create, and express themselves. Its influence on youth culture is undeniable, making it one of the most powerful platforms shaping the attitudes, creativity, and lifestyles of a generation growing up online.