I suppose I'd call it a video sharing platform. "Social media", to me, has an implication of media that is shared within a social circle. Facebook is social media because the intention is to share information with friends and family. No one is posting on FB hoping to have it go viral and make a pile of cash off it.
TikToc is content creators sharing their videos with the whole world.
> TikToc is content creators sharing their videos with the whole world.
Seems like a "social"ly focused way of producing/consuming a particular kind of "media".
In all seriousness, I think the defining characteristics of social media for me include:
- a social graph, I can follow other entities, and they can follow me
- bottomless, user produced content and feeds
- interactive commentary and messaging between users
- promotion algorithms, where the endless content is filtered and promoted, potentially leading to something going "viral", including by those who aren't in my immediate social network
- a focus on sharing content between users
- some form of voting, liking, or reacting
I don't think something needs all of the above to be considered social media. Some things ride the line quite a bit: a Discord server, if small between friends, probably doesn't qualify and is closer to a group chat. A large Discord server with lots of users who don't know each other? Probably counts. HackerNews, and other message boards? You could make an argument either way, but in HN's case, I'd say it is social media.
I think you're underestimating the draw of para-social relationships. That's what powers the "social media" part of TikTok. I think it would be disingenous to suggest that TikTok is anything other than social media.
I will agree if I'm in the minority on this one, but it confirms my larger point - "social media" isn't a useful term. If some apps are putting our youth at risk, tell us what those apps are. Give a top three. Help everyone out.
