Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

More from TikTok: The most exciting, and controversial, social media app on the planet

Money
On TikTok, who owns a viral dance?On TikTok, who owns a viral dance?
Money

“Renegade” and the thorny ethics of the world’s most popular dance memes.

By Rebecca Jennings
TikTok never wanted to be political. Too late.
Money

As the world burns — impeachment! natural disaster! World War III? — teens turn to TikTok.

By Rebecca Jennings
Money
E-boys are the new teen heartthrobs — and they’re poised to make serious moneyE-boys are the new teen heartthrobs — and they’re poised to make serious money
Money

Popular e-boys on TikTok are nabbing fashion and entertainment deals. They could be the boy bands of the 2020s, with way better style and minus the actual singing.

By Rebecca Jennings
What’s going on with TikTok, China, and the US government?
Technology

The wildly popular video app’s ties to China are prompting some US users and politicians to panic.

By Rebecca Jennings
Podcasts
“This dynamic is immortal”: Why OK boomer is much more complicated than the meme“This dynamic is immortal”: Why OK boomer is much more complicated than the meme
Podcast
Podcasts

OK boomer pits the Youths against the Olds. Listen to Today, Explained to learn why the truth about this meme can be found in its shades of grey.

By Lauren Katz
Money
How the Washington Post’s TikTok became an unofficial 2020 campaign stopHow the Washington Post’s TikTok became an unofficial 2020 campaign stop
Money

For politicians, the buzziest new social video app presents a risk and an opportunity.

By Rebecca Jennings
Money
Teens are calling themselves “ugly” on TikTok. It’s not as depressing as you think.Teens are calling themselves “ugly” on TikTok. It’s not as depressing as you think.
Money

Instagram is a beauty pageant. TikTok is where kids are free to be mediocre.

By Rebecca Jennings
Money
How TikTok went from an ad-free paradise to a playground for big brandsHow TikTok went from an ad-free paradise to a playground for big brands
Money

The era of corporate-engineered songs has come to the app. What does that mean for the rest of TikTok?

By Rebecca Jennings
The not-so-secret life of a TikTok-famous teen
Money

Haley downloaded the app for fun. Now millions of people watch her videos.

By Rebecca Jennings
Money
VSCO girls and how teen culture goes viralVSCO girls and how teen culture goes viral
Money

Why adults can’t stop hearing about VSCO girls.

By Rebecca Jennings
Culture
TikTok, explainedTikTok, explained
Culture

It’s part of the world’s most valuable startup, but you probably only know about the memes.

By Rebecca Jennings
Money
TikTok has been illegally collecting children’s dataTikTok has been illegally collecting children’s data
Money

TikTok is paying the FTC a record fine of $5.7 million for collecting the data of kids under 13.

By Chavie Lieber