With TikTok blocked in the US, the UK has an opportunity to reshape the platform with British humour, creativity and quirks, says Flic Everett
Publised in Independent on Sunday 19 January 2025
Quickly download your recipes for whipped feta and peanut butter quiche, learn how to master the perfect French braid, and enjoy the hilarious clip of someone pretending to skateboard into a crate of chickens. You could even check out an ’80s makeup tutorial or marvel at a cup of coffee with a cat-shaped foam design. TikTok is gone in the U.S., and we might never see anything quite like it again.
While YouTube has turned into a platform for conspiracy theorists, X (formerly Twitter) is a mess, and Facebook has become a place for your aunts to post in their crafting groups, TikTok remains a space for younger generations.
Gen Z grew up with an endless stream of comedy clips, bizarre food, funny pets, and epic sports fails, conditioning their brains to process rapid, engaging content similar to the flipbooks of earlier generations.
TikTok moves at lightning speed—it’s like a never-ending movie of an unfiltered mind where everyone shares quick, random moments. The platform could easily have been named “Mummy, watch me!”
However, as of Sunday, it’s not accessible in the U.S. due to concerns over Chinese access to Western user data and potential manipulation. Trump might delay the ban in hopes of finding an American buyer. Meanwhile, young Americans—who account for 110 million of TikTok’s global two billion users—are devastated by the loss, particularly those who monetized their content. The real concern now is the lack of content in the U.S.
The UK has embraced TikTok as well, enjoying its bright, colorful, and bold style, along with quirky content. But now, with U.S. content unavailable, Brits are left with more local material, such as a woman comparing prices at M&S and Aldi, or a man from the Isle of Dogs giving car-washing tips.
But not all hope is lost. A British TikTok creator named Kirsty recently posted a clip expressing that while she’ll miss the Americans, this could be an opportunity for the UK. She suggests we should explore Scottish or Welsh TikTok for funnier content, instead of relying on one region. She’s optimistic that British TikTok can become just as exciting and it could be Britain’s moment to reshape TikTok with humor and self-deprecation
Key Bulletpoints:
- TikTok’s loss in the U.S. marks the end of a unique era for young people.
- Platforms like YouTube, X (Twitter), and Facebook are struggling with relevance.
- TikTok has shaped Gen Z’s rapid consumption of fast, varied content.
- U.S. TikTok ban causes grief for 110 million American users and content creators.
- British TikTok is now left with more local, low-key content after losing U.S. posts.
- There’s potential for British TikTok to focus on humor, rain, and quirky traditions.