We gather here today not only to mourn but to celebrate the life of our beloved friend, TikTok. Born September 2016 in China as the successor to Music.ly, TikTok quickly developed to be a cultural phenomenon globally.
Now, TikTok joins his lifelong companions, Music.ly, Vine, and Omegle, in the digital afterlife. TikTok is survived by his devoted sibling RedNote and the countless individuals worldview who once and will forever dependent on him in their daily lives.
On Jan. 19, his health took a critical turn as the government deprived him of the very sustenance keeping him alive. As his heart slowed to a stop, he made startling confessions, though these only hastened his decline. Placed on life support, doctors have advised that his time was limited, with his final moments predicted for some time in June. Yet, all of his followers remain steadfast as his death turns into a generational crisis. In accordance with TikTok’s final wishes, his obituary is released ahead of time to quell the unrest of his grieving supporters.
Born in the age of Doomscrolling, TikTok was a companion of our designated hours of digital escapism. His absence will definitely be deeply felt, his icon missing from our app stores, his algorithm no longer curating the infinite scroll of entertainment and distraction. TikTok was more than an app – he was a source of joy, an architect of entertainment, and an unrelenting supplier of dopamine. He sponsored many endeavors enjoyed by all: Renegade, Savage, Blinding Lights, and Espresso.
More than just entertainment, TikTok connected people across the world, particularly during the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though some will point to concerns over mental health, misinformation, and espionage, we choose instead to remember the highlights of his life: Charli D’Amelio’s meteoric rise, the era of VSCO girls, James Charles’ controversies, and the unexpected resurgence of The Backyardigans’ “Castaways.”
Though TikTok never married, he is far from alone. His most devoted followers, now self-proclaimed “TikTok refugees,” have united under the banner of the People’s Bid for TikTok, a movement dedicated to his revival. The government has vowed that should a benefactor step forward to fund Tiktok’s medical necessities, his presence may be salvaged. Among the potential saviors rumored to be considering this monumental purchase are MrBeast, Jesse Tinsley, Amazon, Kevin O’Leary, and Microsoft. As we celebrate TikTok’s life, we hold out hope for his survival.
TikTok leaves a lasting legacy of his persistent, alluring notifications, the worry of liking someone’s post from 2018, and the fleeting hours of watching the same trend one-hundred more times. TikTok pushed passed the bounds of social media, empowering anyone to gain their fifteen minutes of fame. Though TikTok’s life will probably come to an unfortunate end soon, his algorithm and global success will never be forgotten.
