Diffusion of Innovations 

    For a social media platform to be successful, it must be engaging, interesting, and contain a new element of content-sharing for its users. When TikTok was first introduced in 2016 by ByteDance, a Chinese software company, I remember opinions being on both ends of the spectrum regarding TikTok's rebirth from its former name, Musical.ly. Lots of people said that TikTok wouldn't be successful, due to the decline in Musical.ly users, which forced the company to rebrand itself. However, TikTok users at the time raved about the no-nonsense algorithm and "realness" that the app presented, unlike other social media platforms that encouraged photoshopping and fakeness. 

 I think that, regarding the Diffusion of Innovations theory, TikTok was first adopted and accepted by Generation Z. Our generation thrives off of social media - which can definitely be a negative thing. However, I believe that TikTok has been able to generate a positive impact with many users. TikTok's widespread communication algorithm has created a plethora of new careers, PR campaigns, and even businesses through just one viral video. TikTok utilizes a personalized algorithm, which they have named "For You", which generated content based on previously viewed content, or content that a user has interacted with. Therefore, if a close circle of friends with similar interests likes the same content, then they will most likely see the same or similar videos in their "For You Page" based on their content engagement. This allows small creators to be seen by a wide array or different users, creating more opportunities for the diffusion of information, innovation, and ideation.

 

    Late adopters of TikTok are most likely corporate businesses, (who have gained the respect of younger audiences by being seen on the platform), parents, and adults in general. I think that with any social media platform, there are downsides regarding privacy, issues such as scams and phishing, and data selling and sharing. With all the new news stories regarding TikTok and national security, I think that TikTok's reputation in the U.S. is being significantly hurt, despite its popularity overall as a social media platform. I believe that the risks surrounding data leakage and privacy as well as personal safety in general is what prevents people from adopting social media sites such as TikTok in the first place.