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TikTok: The Social Media Craze at the ForeFront of Quarantine

Dance routines, dramatic scenes, hacks and tricks -TikTok is unleashing everyones inner content creator and untapped performer. Although the social media platform has been around long before the COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine to follow, TikTok has reached new levels of fame and use worldwide following the aftereffects of the pandemic.

This beloved social networking application was initially founded in China in 2016 and quickly rose to fame amongst millennials and the general younger population. By 2018, the application garnered even more popularity globally and in 2019 TikTok was named the seventh-most-downloaded mobile app of the decade, between 2010 to 2019.

Recently, as the majority of the worlds population has found itself in lockdown, spending more and more time at home, one of the greatest available solaces has been TikTok (in addition to various social media platforms in general). Perhaps TikToks entertainment and creativity factor is what has caused it to lead the current social media race, however.

Unlike some other social media platforms (such as Instagram or Facebook both of which can be used for both light and slightly heavier or more serious content), TikTok is meant to be used for pure entertainment, and most of the content shared and created through the app is usually light in nature.

From global dance challenges to local acting scene trends, TikTok is one of those entertainment platforms where one can lose his or herself in for hours on end both watching peoples creations and getting inspired to work on ones own as well.

TikTok Globally

On a global scale, TikToks download rate has reportedly increased significantly ever since the COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown to follow. So much so that, according to The Economic Times in India, short video app TikTok is the most downloaded app in India in the social media category during the government enforced lockdown to battle COVID-19, followed by WhatsApp and Facebook.

In addition to India however, the 15-second video sharing app has seen the same rise to fame across Europe and North America, as well as Asia and Africa. Even an article on UK publication The Guardian dubbed it as the social media sensation of lockdown.

Although each region or country always has its own set of top trending TikTok challenges and content, there are a few challenges and trends that have gone viral across the world. Some of these trending TikTok challenges include the savage dance challenge to Megan Thee Stallions song Savage, the Dont Rush challenge in which people seem to give themselves makeovers or transform themselves in a matter of seconds, and creating creative or fun lip syncing videos to the trending Tyga and Curtis Roach song Bored In The House.

TikTok in Egypt

Adding its own flavor to TikTok, Egypt sees its local viral trends and challenges in addition to the global ones. Performers at heart, what seems to be particularly popular amongst Egyptian TikTok users is acting out scenes from popular Egyptian films, TV shows or programs, or general video content.

A TikTok user who seems to have mastered the art of acting out various scenes is Rasha Rahwanji (@rasharahwanji0), having gained herself over 190,000 followers. Her precision and wit seem to have uncovered untapped talent in the realms of acting and performing for a virtual audience.

In addition to giving the general population the chance to unleash their creativity and just have a good time dancing and lip syncing to some of their favorite songs, TikTok has also pushed some of the countrys most beloved influencers and celebrities to take their content a step further.

Tameem Younes (@tameemyouness) for example, an influencer and comedian, has managed to consistently be one of TikToks leading content creators, usually always having videos trending and highlighted on the home feed. What particularly stands out with the famed comedian and content creator, is the fact that unlike most TikTok users a lot of his videos seem to be original content, as opposed to riding the lip sync and challenge waves.

Given the fact that the Egyptian population is generally known for their lightness of spirit and their ability to find the humor in anything, it only makes sense that TikTok has become more and more popular during this period of time.

So much so in fact, that there has even been a TV show created that airs daily during Ramadan on the Sada Elbalad Channel, entitled Top TikTok, in which the host discusses some of Egypts top trending TikTok videos.

The application however, has also been met with some criticism. Last month, Egyptian Tiktok influencer Haneen Hossam was detained after being arrested for posting videos on TikTok inciting debauchery and immorality. In addition to this, the Public Prosecution in Egypt also detained a group of TikTok users last month after ignoring the nationwide curfew andgoing out to the streets at night to film videos on the app inciting citizens to leave their homes and not implement the curfew.

Given its popularity and quick rise to fame, the question stands at whether or not the social media platform will continue to grow and stand the test of time, or whether it will eventually die out and be replaced by a new and improved video-creating platforms such as the case with Snapchat and Vine.

Read more here:
TikTok: The Social Media Craze at the ForeFront of Quarantine - Egyptian Streets

Dubai: Social networking has decades of experience connecting people, helping us keep up to date with the latest news, following interesting topics, being informed about public announcements, gaining insight from specialists and other goodies that help us and bring joy to our daily life. While this is useful, when using these platforms, one has to follow the right ethics and be aware of the pitfalls.

False rumors are a source of destruction, and it is up to each of us to tackle them. We need to be vigilant and review all information received and not immediately consider it to be truth unless it comes directly from an official agency. We have to be the strong dam that stops false rumors from spreading.

There are pathetic people among us who live by generating malicious gossip that offends and defames their goals. What might surprise you is that these gossips are carefully crafted traps that lure the target into a counterattack that the clapster then fights against the target. One should be aware of such traps and always be careful to express their opinion without defamation, insult or mention of names.

One of the disadvantages of the Internet is the inability to prevent or even restrict the distribution of images and other media. Private pictures and messages between people sent via WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram or even Snapchat can be saved and republished. This is a matter of great concern that we need to be aware of as many people of both sexes have been seriously humiliated and affected by the publication of these private pictures and messages.

Fake accounts are created by individuals or organizations with the aim of spreading conflict in societies and making personal money gains. We have to be careful and especially not to get into emotional traps, especially when we receive messages like Help a new Muslim or Poor child in the hospital. In other cases, they will fall victim to your social responsibility by posting bogus messages allegedly from royal people, such as Princess Wallet stolen, asking you to transfer money to them and have them recognize and return you as soon as they are back in the country. Check each new account to prevent fraudulent information or being cheated.

Some people innocently link their accounts to third-party online applications that write messages on behalf of the user. These messages can be as simple as daily useful information and statistics, and as complicated as replying to other people with reminders. Because they are generated in another country, the news published is sometimes culturally or politically insensitive, which can be very serious. Even if the likelihood of this happening is less than 10% since it was published on your behalf, you will be held responsible.

Excerpt from:
Ethics and pitfalls in using social networking applications - News Herder

Be more internet savy. Photo: file image

The internet can be a dangerous place and social media websites are no exception.

The SAPS believes every parent should be aware of some important internet and social media safety tips that could protect their children from potential harm.

There are several things you, as a parent, can do to make sure your children can participate safely they are:

Learn about the internet and various social media platforms, because knowledge is power.

Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest internet crazes and social media applications children make use of.

Insist on knowing your childs passwords and learn the common acronyms children use online and in text messages.

Some acronyms include:

GNOC Get naked on camera.

TDTM Talk dirty to me.

NIFOC Naked in front of computer.

PAW Parents are watching.

PIR Parent in room.

POS Parent over shoulder.

CD9/Code 9 Parent/Adult around.

ASL Age, sex, location.

(L)MIRL (Let us) meet in real life.

MOS Mom over shoulder.

P911 Parent emergency.

PRON Porn.

S2R Send to receive (pictures).

FYEO For your eyes only.

Get involved.

Spend time online with your child, whether at home, at the library or at a computer centre in your community.

Your involvement in your childs life, including his or her online life, is the best insurance you can have for your childs safety.

Move your childs computer into a family room or a frequently visited room.

Police advise that your child should rather use a shared family computer as this tends to limit the visiting of potentially dangerous chat rooms and social networking websites, as most teens prefer to view these sites in private.

If you must, limit your childs use of the computer to certain times, such as when you are home or in the room.

Talk to your child about the dangers of the internet.

Let them know that it is possible to meet potential predators online, especially with the use of private chat rooms or social networking websites.

Let them know that if they are harassed, whether it be by someone they know or do not know, they must contact you immediately.

You may, in turn, want to contact the proper authorities.

Consider the use of a parental control tool.

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)[emailprotected],Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)[emailprotected]or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)[emailprotected]

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Police urge parents to learn more about the internet and social media to protect their children - Germiston City News

Social networking tech giant Facebook and GiveIndia have partnered to organise a home-to-home fundraiser concert, I for India.All proceeds from the fundraiser concert will go to the India COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia, said Facebook in a press statement. GiveIndia is associated with over 100 NGOs working to provide support. Aside from offline donations, people in many countries will also have an option to donate using the Facebook Fundraisers tool.'; var randomNumber = Math.random(); var isIndia = (window.geoinfo && window.geoinfo.CountryCode === 'IN') && (window.location.href.indexOf('outsideindia') === -1 ); //console.log(isIndia && randomNumber As part of this association, there will be a four-hour long concert that will be streamed globally on Facebook onMay 3 at 7:30pm.I for Indias Fundraiser is already active on Facebook and people can donate on fb.me/IforIndiafundraiser. People will also be able to make a donation via the donate button next to the video while watching the concert.

Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India, said, We recently launched Facebook Fundraisers, that allow people to leverage the full scale and power of the platform, and their passion, to direct resources to initiatives that can protect and save lives. Were grateful to the entertainment industry for coming together for the I for India Concert, which will benefit NGOs and charities that are right now working to provide food, shelter and healthcare to those who need it the most.

Read more:
Facebook partners GiveIndia to host a live concert on May 3 - Times of India

Google is winding down Shoelace, a hyperlocal social networking app it launched last July to help people find others nearby to join them in activities like sports and attending shows. The company said itll close down Shoelace servers on May 12.

The service was available only in New York City, and was an experiment from Area 120, the companys internal incubator for employees potentially big ideas. Google noted that given the current health crisis, we dont feel that now is the right time to invest further in this project, and that it doesnt plan to reboot Shoelace in the future.

Like most 30-somethings who dont always have an easy time meeting new people, I quite liked the idea behind Shoelace: You could join communities to find like-minded folks in your area, and spot editor-curated activities to participate in.

Understandably, Shoelace is likely not seeing much action right now, owing to the coronavirus crisis. Im sad to learn that Google doesnt intend to resurrect it later on but hey, maybe the tides will turn once were out of the woods with this pandemic, and there will be more interest in a service like this.

With that, another product lands six feet under in the Google cemetery. If you used Shoelace much over the past several months, you can export your data via this page before May 12.

Read next: How the coronavirus led to a rise in online Islamophobic hate speech

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Google is shutting down another social network you've never heard of - The Next Web