TikTok dances have changed social dances by prioritizing fun and challenging dances cut into a small video on a For You Page. Unlike studio routines, these 15 to 60 second “micro-dances” are designed to be performed in front of a phone camera. The app allows anyone from professionals to normal people in their bedrooms, to participate in global trends like the “Renegade” or “Savage” challenges, often turning bedrooms into digital stages.

TikTok was created by Chinese tech giant ByteDance and was first released in September 2016 under the name “Douyin.” The app was created to be a replacement of Instagram and Facebook, which are both banned by China.  In November 2017, ByteDance acquired another social media app called Musically. However, the app was changed to TikTok in August 2018. 

TikTok blew up because of how well made it is. shows you stuff you actually like on the For You Page instead of just showing you what your friends post. It got way bigger after it merged with Musical.ly, which was already huge for lip-syncing, so everyone just moved over to the new app. Then, when everyone was stuck at home during quarantine, it was the only thing to do, and it became the best way to see funny videos or find new music. Now, it feels like everything cool starts on TikTok first because it’s so easy to just scroll for hours and see what’s trending.

TikTok dances are honestly so popular because they’re super easy for anyone to try, even if you’re not a real dancer. Since the moves are mostly just for the camera and focus on your upper body, you can learn a whole routine in your room in like five minutes. It’s also a way to feel like you’re part of a huge trend and a part of something very important.With everyone else on the app. Even if it’s just a 15-second clip, seeing everyone do the same challenge makes the internet feel more like a community where you can just have fun and post whatever you want.