by Ayanah Dowdye, staff contributor
Intro
TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create, share, and discover short-form videos, often set to music, with a focus on creativity and viral trends. Teens are highly drawn to TikTok dance challenges, where they enthusiastically participate in and share choreographed routines, fostering a sense of community and creative expression among peers. By sharing their posts with a (#), their media can be viewed among many others who are either participating in the trend or merely appreciating the different creative approaches to said trend; showcasing their individual take on the different dance challenges. Parents, and families as a whole, are increasingly joining together to create TikTok dance content; turning the platform into a fun and collaborative way to bond, express creativity, and engage in shared activities across generations.
Relevant Videos:
Families Dancing: Family Can Dance Compilation
Specific challenge: Don't Hurt Yourself Challenge Dance Compilation #dance #challenge
Benefits of Dance overall: The benefits of dancing (even if you're not good at it) – BBC REEL
Health Benefits of Dance: Dancing Through Life: 8 Health Benefits That Will Make You Want to Move
How to Talk to Kids About it:
Approach with curiosity: ask your kids about which dance challenges are trending, as new challenges come out often
Share your own stories: It is likely that parents have participated in their own dance challenges growing up - share more about what dances were popular for you to find some common ground
Dance together: take part in your child’s favorite dance routines or teach them your favorite dance. You never know if you become the person who creates the next dance trend.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
creative expression
community bonding
Cons:
i. Increased screen time
ii. Comparison trap
iii. Loss of privacy
Other Relevant Stuff:
Common Sense media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/tiktok
Springer: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-023-01224-6
Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178123001889
SagePub Journals: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20563051221086241
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