The social media app TikTok has been on the rise since its release in 2016, and now more than ever, the app is seeing spiked demand as teens across the globe are finding more time on their hands due to COVID. It all started last spring when the first wave of the virus forced a pause in many sports and extracurricular activities, which led students to resort to TikTok as a mode for passing time. Now, with many schools still in virtual or hybrid mode, it has become harder for students to resist their phones. 

In the beginning of the school year, we had a Chapter meeting in which we discussed the different attitudes towards in-school days and virtual learning days at home. The popular opinion among many students was that in-school learning days are easier, largely because it is hard to focus when at home. Fortunately for Salesianum, our schedule allows us to attend school in-person, an opportunity that not many districts and students get. Many students across the U.S. have been struggling to maintain their focus in virtual classes when they can be entertained by TikTok instead. Below is a summary of TikTok’s fast stats.

TikTok Records and Facts This Year: 

• In Q1, it saw the most downloads out of any other app — ever (315 million). 
• In January of 2020, there were 20 million monthly users in the U.S., and by April of 2020, there were around 39 million (almost double, thanks to COVID).
• This year (2020), TikTok is expected to make $500 million in the U.S. alone. 
• The average TikTok user spends 52 minutes a day on the app
• The average user from ages 4 to 14 spends 80 minutes per day on TikTok 
• Forbes lists the top three highest earning creators with Addison Rae at $5 million and the D’Amelio sisters at $7 million total.

TikTok’s stats have been on the rise this year and it is no surprise. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing the whole time either. TikTok has run into several bumps this year, with rumors of it being banned in the US. Fortunately for its huge audience, the app partnered with Oracle and Walmart to take on its U.S. operations and circumvent this threat. After the deal was made, President Trump stated that over time, 25,000 new jobs would be added to the US economy from TikTok alone. As of now, the app is here to stay and still remains the giant it was before, growing more every day.