In the peaking age of social media, ordinary people can go viral and their lives can switch overnight, all from increasing influence and drive to promote self-expression. Posting various videos on TikTok ranging from funny or relatable content to the ‘GRWM’ (Get Ready With Me), teenagers and people of all ages have been able to create platforms which can develop into loving, or even hating, communities.
Similarly, some students at OHS have formed their own TikTok following that has interested many as their numbers have increased quickly through uploading their own, self expressive content to the public.
“As of recently, I have kind of not cared what people think and what I post. It’s fun to share things and get comments, hearing that people relate and appreciate and see what I do and post. Life is kind of better when you realize that it doesn’t matter what people have to say,” said Sophie Beaudry, senior.
It is easy to feel judged in this day and age. Members of Generation Z have grown up in a culture of constant judgement and making fun of others, so posting content can be something that takes courage. When judgement is spread as hate on platforms such as TikTok, creators have a new obstacle to face.
“[Hate comments] have encouraged me because it is mainly the same people that keep coming back to leave those comments, so it doesn’t bother me. They’re mad with themselves,” said Tina Viasu, sophomore.
Through discussions fueling in comment sections, as OHS’s creators post their content, reading the feelings of those who may relate to certain content creates a new motivation.
“My first video that blew up was about how to get over a heartbreak. I posted that because I saw that everyone around me was really sad from breakups, so I wanted them to know that it’s going to be fine and that we’re in high school. You’re going to be okay,” said Reese Blair, sophomore.
Acknowledging the similarities of teenagers creates a new moral compass for many high schoolers as they see the explanations of feelings play out right before their eyes in a comment section.
“It’s okay to be a teenage girl with feelings and to feel different than everybody around you,” Blair said.
As this meaningful motivation continues to push OHS students to post content, some platforms are growing in popularity by numbers such as tens of thousands.
“I really love it. I’m about to hit a big milestone: a million. It’s absolutely insane. I’ve been doing this for a year,” said Aliya Rachinski, junior.
As followers grow, many brands offer deals or send products in ‘PR packages’ for creators to review when they are intrigued by a creator’s video.
“I posted a SHEIN haul and a lot of nice people commented, and brands started reaching out to me from that video,” Viasu said.
Platform growth means more opportunity to make an impact with the resources given. Some connect their morals to the opportunities which they are blessed with.
“Just recently, with all of the PR packages I have been getting, I’ve been donating a lot to women’s shelters. I’m using it as an opportunity to give back,” Rachinski said.
Similarly, brands fly out influencers to go on sponsored trips. Influencers of similar ages meet up and these trips allow them to socialize with others who understand the content creator lifestyle.
“I was a smaller influencer at the time and they were all over one million, so they were all in their clique, but meeting people with a similar platform as me was insane. I definitely felt like a fangirl,” Rachinski said.
The life of a content creator blends with the life of a high schooler and creates a unique experience for the OHS students who are increasingly growing in their popularity on social media.
“I don’t feel like I’m an influencer, that I have a platform. Seeing that number on my page just feels unreal. I feel like a tiny little high school student,” Rachinski said.
