| Abstract: |
The rapid rise of TikTok as a global social media platform has significantly
impacted how African youth perceive and express their cultural identities.
This study investigates the influence of TikTok trends on youth identity
and cultural expression among users in Nigeria. The main objective is to
understand how TikTok, through its viral content, challenges, and creative
trends, shapes the cultural narratives and self-representations of African
youth especially in Nigeria. Guided by the Technological Determinism
theory, the research explores how digital media environments contribute to
identity formation and cultural negotiation. A library research approach
was adopted involving a comprehensive review of existing literature, case
studies and qualitative contents analysis of TikTok trends specific to
Nigerian context. The findings suggest that while TikTok provides a
platform for youth to celebrate and innovate upon traditional cultural
practices, it also facilitates the spread of homogenized, often Westerninfluenced cultural content that can dilute local identities. Furthermore, the
platform's algorithmic nature can promote superficial engagement with
cultural symbols, leading to potential misrepresentations. The study
recommends that stakeholders, including educators, cultural practitioners,
and policymakers, actively engage with social media platforms like
TikTok to promote more authentic and diverse representations of African
cultures. Additionally, there is a need for digital literacy programs that
empower youth to critically engage with social media content, fostering a
deeper understanding of their cultural heritage while navigating a
globalized media landscape. |
