“TikTok brings laughter, fun, excitement, and positivity to the world, which describes my personality very well; it also is what influences me and many others to do TikTok videos as well,” Junior Silas Mathis said.

 Mathis is one of 800 users worldwide who have jumped on the social media platform, with 40 percent between 16 and 24 years old.

 “TikTok somewhat influences today’s generation in good and bad ways because of certain things people are exposed to on the For You page,” Mathis said. 

A lot of people’s goal is to try to blow up on tik tok and to make money making videos for the site.

“If I were to blow up, blow up I would try to make money if l meet the ‘creator fund’ requirements,” Mathis said.

President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down TikTok on Sunday due to it being a foreign app, which some say poses a security risk with China accessing personal data.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea because TikTok is used by so many people worldwide and the creators are making money off of that. So if Trump does that he’s knocking their hustle,” Junior Dierre Kelly said.    

A deal to sell the platform to an American company was recently announced, but fears remain.

“If TikTok was taken from everyone I think a lot of people would be mad but eventually I think something will come out to replace the app,” Kelly said.

Many people are not even sure the TikTok trend will even last regardless if it is taken away early.

“I’m not sure if TikTok will last that long, but all we can do is hope cause a lot of people like myself like using the app,” Senior Dierre Kelly said.

While TikTok is still a huge trend, many people don’t realize how people get paid.

“ You have to have at least 10,000 followers and a certain amount of watch hours which enables you to get paid through TikTok ” Silas Mathis said.

There are various sponsors through TikTok, which helps cover everyone that qualifies to get paid.

“Ads are added just like YouTube and those sponsors are what contribute to pay people,” Mathis said.

TikTok stars can become very wealthy doing creative Tik Tok videos.

“People like Addison Rae, Loren Gray, and Josh Richards have become millionaires just from doing funny and creative videos,” Kelly said.

TikTok has been known to pay $200 to $20,000 per branded video promoted by influencers. 

“I hope to get monetized soon and begin to make thousands for each video I put out. It seems as if it is very easy to do, but effort and time are put into making funny videos,” Kelly said.