Why TikTok Might Be the Best Thing to Happen to Democracy

By: Ava Gravina'28

Photo courtesy of Justine Goode/NBC News and TikTok

TikTok has not ruined democracy; it has made Gen Z more politically engaged. While critics claim that social media spreads misinformation and polarizes voters, platforms like TikTok encourage political participation and make politics more participatory, accessible, and transparent. The real threat is not the app itself, but our lack of media literacy. Instead of banning TikTok, we should use it to educate and empower the next generation of voters.

While TikTok is often associated with viral dances and lip-syncing, it has become a political platform. Researchers Richard Fox and Kiana Karimi of Loyola Marymount University note that “young TikTok users are more likely than users of other platforms to engage in online political acts, like sharing political posts and following a politician’s account” (Paz), proving that TikTok is not just entertainment – it is a tool for civic engagement.

Furthermore, a 2024 Pew Research Center study found “About half of those under 30 say getting news is a major or minor reason they use TikTok” (McClain). For a generation with a short attention span, TikTok helps make politics more accessible. Moreover, creators often break down complicated laws, elections, and political theories into short, entertaining videos that are easy to understand.

Additionally, TikTok challenges the echo chambers that other platforms' algorithms push. Liberal creator Dean Withers, for example, uses TikTok to livestream political debates and dissect arguments on issues like abortion, climate change, and gun control. Having grown up in a conservative family and influenced by their views, Withers hopes to reach young male voters often targeted by far-right content. As he explains, these debates “can help introduce progressive ideas into right-wing echo chambers” (Holtermann). Traditional campaigns target loyal voters, but Withers uses TikTok to challenge assumptions and encourage others to reflect on their views.

Without a doubt, in a healthy democracy, everyone–not just the majority–should have the opportunity to participate and be heard. TikTok, in particular, gives a voice to people who are often excluded from political conversations. When these users share personal experiences about race, gender, mental health, or immigration, they humanize political issues, building empathy, fostering mutual understandings, and helping others see beyond their own perspectives. 

As Dr. Kligler-Vilenchik notes, platforms like TikTok “enable at least the potential for a conversation across political views” (Herrman). While many political institutions and mainstream media networks often overlook marginalized voices, TikTok gives these groups a platform to share their stories, making democracy more inclusive and improving representation.

Furthermore, TikTok also enhances transparency through livestreaming. Politicians and activists can broadcast speeches, protests, or police encounters in real time, letting the public see events unfold directly. Pattharapong Rattanasevee of Burapha University notes that platforms like TikTok “offer real-time feedback on policies, and foster public deliberation” (Rattanasevee), creating a more participatory democracy by allowing users to engage from anywhere, respond to policies, join discussions, and watch live debates. 

Politicians are adapting as well. On April 1, 2025, Senator Cory Booker livestreamed a 25-hour speech, protesting against President Trump’s policies. He said that, “social media [is useful] for getting out the Democratic Party message” (Korach). Additionally, when public officials know they are being watched in real time, they are likely to be honest and transparent, which are core values of a strong democracy.  

While technology can be misused, it also creates spaces where people talk about important issues, share different views, and think critically together. As creator Dean Withers argues, much of our political divide today, especially among younger men, stems from a lack of exposure to perspectives beyond their own: “We just need to be able to convince a younger generation of white guys that people who live in our society that aren’t white guys face problems that they don’t even know exist” (Holtermann). Politics is deeply personal and is rooted in identity. However, platforms like TikTok can help bridge these divides by fostering empathy, encouraging honesty, and exposing people to lived experiences that are often ignored by the media.

Ultimately, the political community on TikTok fosters civic engagement, public debates, and activism. Rather than fearing the platform, we should use it to stay informed and challenge injustice. In a world where we are constantly scrolling, the power to protect our democracy may lie within the phones we hold.