Conceptualising TikTok in Youth and Media Research
摘要
This research article examines the multifaceted role of TikTok in the lives of young users, focusing on empirical data collected through creative workshops with teenagers aged 16–17 in Oslo. The study builds on a framework from mediatisation research and previous analyses of TikTok to differentiate between the micro, meso, and macro level functions of TikTok in social life. At the micro level, TikTok serves as an algorithmic ‘feel good’ space, enabling users to engage with content that resonates with their identities and promotes personal development. The meso level highlights TikTok’s role in fostering vibrant, interest-driven transcultural spaces where users navigate social interactions and collective expressions. Finally, at the macro level, the platform emerges as a cultural symbol reflecting broader societal anxieties and moral panics regarding youth behaviour. Incorporating insights from recent literature, this article underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of TikTok in youth research, challenging traditional perceptions of digital platforms. By including the voices and experiences of young people, this study contributes significantly to contemporary discussions about digital youth culture and the implications of algorithm-driven platforms in shaping their everyday lives.