Introduction

The combination of online networks and social changes has shaped how the public operates daily. TikTok is an example of one of the online network platforms and how it has socially affected people’s lifestyles during the pandemic. Knowing that the COVID-19 virus has caused some physical absence regarding face-to-face interactions. However, during the pandemic, TikTok has rapidly overpowered every social media site with a quick swipe, emerging as a major platform for entertainment and social connection. According to Williamson (2020), she stated that between March and January, the number of unique TikTok visitors rose by 30.1%, reaching 28.8 million. This rapid growth can be attributed to individuals seeking creative outlets and community engagement during periods of isolation. This paper will cover how, During the COVID-19 pandemic, young adults used TikTok as a “third space” and coping mechanism, spending their youth navigating isolation through social connection. I will demonstrate this by examining on how TikTok worked as a virtual third space in the absence of physical communal environments, how the platform facilitated micro-community building and social participation through trends and creative content, and the dual impact of TikTok’s platform design on users’ mental health, activism, and digital well-being.

Defining Online Networks and Social Change

The Online platform serves as an active digital ecosystem where its users communicate, share the scope of their everyday lives, and engage in discussions on an international scale. Media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook encourage individuals to become content creators, boosting diverse voices that might eventually go unheard. These networks succeed in user interaction, with likes, shares, and comments functioning as key features that accelerate the distribution of ideas at an unusual rate (Dwivedi et al., 2021). The quick exchange of information enables digital communities to shape public discourse and influence real-time societal trends. Social change is not just about fancy policies but more on about everyday people shifting gears on cultural norms, attitudes, and behaviours. When a cause gains traction online, it can become a full-blown movement, whether it is climate action, gender equality, or mental health awareness. The attention gathered in a community is the key to making a change more than just a flash in the pan (Dunfey, 2023).

The sensational TikTok platform is by far the top online networking powerhouse for young adults, shaping trends and promoting conversations that matter. From viral challenges raising awareness for social issues to Indigenous content creators educating viewers about First Nations culture, the platform’s algorithm ensures powerful messages do not just collect dust. Famous activism campaigns like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo have gained momentum through short yet hard-hitting clips (Cole, 2021).

Researchers in the platform then back this up. Studies show that social media makes it easier for everyday people to get involved in activism, not just politicians and big names. TikTok, in particular, helps unrecognised communities grow around important causes, turning niche issues into big conversations. This platform is not just for a quick scroll; it is slowly changing the world, one viral trend at a time (Terradillos et al., 2024).

The Third Space and TikTok’s Role During Isolation

The concept of having a “third space” refers to a social environment that divides individuals from a familiar space, like home (the first space) and work or school (the second space), where people can encounter social interaction, community-building, and self-expression (Yahya & Wood, 2016). A well-known sociologist named Ray Oldenburg has stated that third spaces traditionally include places like cafés, libraries, parks, and other communal environments where people can interact outside of their structured responsibilities (Khan & Kumar, 2021). These settings encourage informal social ties, supplying a sense of belonging and cultural interaction. In terms of isolation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, physical third spaces became untouchable to prevent the spread of the virus, which then led to the promotional rise of digital alternatives. One of the alternatives was TikTok, which then appeared as an everyday virtual third space for individuals, especially young users worldwide (Perez-Brumer et al., 2022).

According to Szeto et al. (2024), In the global pandemic isolations and social constraints implemented by the government, many social media platforms like TikTok have become a space where individuals can connect, share experiences, and develop a community. Eight Clients (2023) findings stated the comparison of TikTok to traditional social media platforms’ main functioning as communication tools; the app became an interactive space where users could participate in trends, engage or be a part of communities, and showcase creativity through short-form videos. The app’s algorithm system enabled discoverability, which allowed users to find like-minded individuals and contribute to viral movements, eventually reinforcing a shared virtual culture.

Community-Building on TikTok

The TikTok platform facilitated micro-community building based on shared interests, humour, and identity. According to the research (Searle, 2024), the use of hashtags like #Cottagecore, #AltTikTok, and #BookTok brought together users with common lifestyles, aesthetics, and hobbies, letting them create content that resonated within their communities. For example, #BookTok became a hub for literature lovers who recommended books, discussed plots, and connected with authors, renewing interest in reading among young audiences.

Some challenges and duets encouraged collaborative content creation, encouraging social interaction despite physical distance during the pandemic. Funhs (2022) paper shows that The “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical” project is an example of this phenomenon, as TikTok users contributed musical numbers, choreography, and set designs to create a crowdsourced theatrical production collaboratively. This project showcased how TikTok users could collectively develop content beyond individual contributions, supporting a sense of participation and inclusion in a broader creative action.

TikTok’s short-clipped video design and user-friendly editing tools have encouraged individuals, especially the youth, to experiment with self-expression in outstanding ways. The app became a space where young users could find personal identity, showcase talents, and participate in cultural activism. Dance trends, such as the “Renegade” and “Savage Love” steps, allowed the youth to participate in viral movements, beating geographical limitations and connecting people worldwide in these shared experiences (PaperSpark, 2020). On the website PaperSpark (2020), it was also evident that lip-syncing trends and comedic skits enabled users to create digital personas, immersed in social commentary, and experiment with different modes of self-representation.

TikTok has also provided a platform for unrecognised voices to be heard, Amnesty International (2023) stated, promoting discussions on mental health, gender identity, and social fairness. Another paper by Haslem (2022) shows that activism movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #LGBTQ+ visibility campaigns have received attention through TikTok’s large and broad reach, proving the platform’s capacity to amplify advocacy and personal storytelling. Users shared their experiences, raised awareness, and built solidarity within online communities, supporting the platform’s function as a virtual third space where broad and diverse perspectives were welcomed.

Positive and Negative Impacts of TikTok on Social Change

An organisation named DBSA (2024) stated that TikTok is an emerging platform that is so powerful that it can cause positive social change, promote community support, and strengthen social justice movements. During the COVID-19 lockdown, TikTok users shared personal struggles and experiences, offered mental health support, and provided relief through entertainment, strengthening global unity. The app also plays a vital role in activism, such as raising awareness of movements such as Black Lives Matter, enabling fast distribution of information, and mobilisation of protests (Szeto et al., 2024). Another finding from Haslem (2022) talked about how TikTok has become a space for excluded communities to share their experiences and support for change, going against the traditional media barriers. Activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities have found empowerment through viral content, raising visibility and challenging societal norms. Studies indicate that TikTok provided a sense of connection for young adult users during lockdowns, decreasing isolation by creating online friendships and engagement with meaningful causes.

Despite the platform advantages, TikTok also has its significant challenges, mainly in spreading misinformation and the influence it has on young adults’ mental health. The platform has been heavily judged for enabling conspiracy theories and false reports, with misleading content often acquiring more views due to its algorithm-driven system (Amnesty International, 2023). Furthermore, cyberbullying and online harassment are still the major concerns on the platform, as stated in Rogowska and Cincio’s (2024) article, contributing to increased pressure and depression among the youth. The addictive nature of TikTok, driven by constant scrolling and dopamine-inducing content, has raised warnings about screen time and its effects on the youth’s well-being. The app’s recommendation system is biased toward sensational or controversial content, occasionally prioritising engagement over accuracy. In addition, moderation of irregular content allows harmful or misleading statements to continue, influencing the public’s view on critical issues. Papers about digital well-being highlight how TikTok’s influence can shape beliefs, behaviours, and emotional health, making it necessary to implement stronger rules and educational endeavours.

The Dual Role of TikTok: Connection vs. Harm

TikTok functioned as a digital “third space” for young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering both a coping mechanism and a social lifeline. In Rutledge et al. (2025) journal, he elaborated that as lockdown restrictions separated adolescents from traditional social environments, TikTok became a significant platform where individuals could self-express, engage in peer interaction, and engage in collaborative engagement. This online platform enabled social change by allowing its users to share personal experiences, support important causes, and build communities. Even though its role in creating digital safe spaces, TikTok also gave access to young users to harmful content, misinformation, and mental health threats, underlining the paradox of its influence.

One of TikTok’s greatest advantages is its power to strengthen social movements and empower excluded voices. By putting together viral trends around social justice issues such as #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and mental health awareness, TikTok has motivated adolescents to participate in activism through the use of social media from their homes (Haslem, 2022). The app’s algorithm-driven content delivery has resulted in a seamless way for users to navigate like-minded communities, reducing depression and strengthening a sense of belonging. Studies show that social media engagement during the pandemic helped adolescents feel connected, proving TikTok’s role as a third space in the digital sector (McCashin & Murphy, 2023).

Nevertheless, the same algorithm that promotes connection also has its disadvantages. A paper from Australian Outlook by Idris (2024) wrote that TikTok’s design prioritises engagement, often encouraging shocking content that has not been fact-checked or may not always be accurate or beneficial. The spread of misleading news, conspiracy theories, and unrealistic beauty norms has contributed to widespread concerns about the platform’s psychological impact. Cyberbullying and online harassment have also remained ongoing issues in the online platform, with vulnerable youth often experiencing more harm than support. The addictive nature of unlimited scrolling has also been linked to negative mental health outcomes, causing individuals to doomscroll, which can lead to anxiety and short attention spans (Merino et al., 2024).

This duality emphasises the complicated role of online networks in shaping social standards and collective action. While the app has undeniably developed opportunities for social change and emotional support, its uncontrolled influence raises ethical queries about content moderation and digital well-being. Young adults navigating isolation found refuge in TikTok, but at what cost? As the platform continues to grow, balancing the benefits of connectivity with the need for stronger regulations will be important in securing that online networks serve as genuinely positive third spaces rather than sources of harm (Amnesty International, 2023).

Conclusion

TikTok has played an important role as a “third space” for young adults, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns, giving them a way to stay connected, blow off steam, and rally behind social causes (Perez-Brumer et al., 2022). With the world in chaos, TikTok became a digital gathering spot where young adults and beyond could express themselves and build communities (Rutledge et al., 2025). From viral dances to full-blown activism, the platform helped drive social change, giving a megaphone to excluded voices and shining a light on issues like #BlackLivesMatter and mental health awareness (Szeto et al., 2024). However, it is it is not all sunshine and rainbows. The same algorithms that helped bring people together also served up a fair share of disadvantages—misinformation running wild, cyberbullies having a field day, and addictive scrolling habits keeping people glued to their screens (Amnesty International, 2023). While TikTok created a safe space for some, for others, it became a breeding ground for anxiety, self-doubt, and harmful content.

This double-edged sword calls for a rethink. Future research should investigate ways to make social media safer without killing its community spirit. Better content moderation, algorithm transparency, and digital literacy programs could help users dodge the harmful side of social media while still maximising its advantages (Clune & McDaid, 2023). At the end of the day, TikTok’s impact depends on how young adults and everyone else use it and how it is regulated. Whether it remains a fair honesty force for good or turns into a digital headache will depend on the steps taken to keep it a safe and positive space for all.

References

Amnesty International. (2023, November 7). Global: TikTok’s “For You” Feed Risks Pushing Children and Young People Towards Harmful Mental Health Content. Amnesty International; Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/11/tiktok-risks-pushing-children-towards-harmful-content/

Clune, C., & McDaid, E. (2023). Content moderation on social media: constructing accountability in the digital space. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/aaaj-11-2022-6119

Cole, K. (2021, October 1). How Indigenous creators are nurturing a space on TikTok to educate and entertain. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-indigenous-creators-are-nurturing-a-space-on-tiktok-to-educate-and-entertain

DBSA. (2024). TikTok and Youth Mental Health: Weighing the Pros and Cons. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/newsletters/tiktok-and-youth-mental-health/

Dunfey, T. (2023, August 14). What is Social Change and Why Should We Care? Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/social-sciences/what-is-social-change

Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., & Carlson, J. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59(1), 1–37. Sciencedirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268401220308082

Eight Clients. (2023, April 20). TikTok: How Is It Different from Other Social Media Platforms? Eight Clients. https://eightclients.com.au/tiktok-how-is-it-different-from-other-social-media-platforms/

Funhs, B. (2022). Theater of Lockdown: Digital and Distanced Performance in a Time of Pandemic 9781350231825, 9781350231856, 9781350231849, 9781350242074 – DOKUMEN.PUB. Dokumen.pub. https://dokumen.pub/theater-of-lockdown-digital-and-distanced-performance-in-a-time-of-pandemic-9781350231825-9781350231856-9781350231849-9781350242074.html

Haslem, B. (2022). TikTok as a Digital Activism Space: Social Justice Under TikTok as a Digital Activism Space: Social Justice Under Algorithmic Control Algorithmic Control. TIKTOK as a DIGITAL ACTIVISM SPACE: SOCIAL JUSTICE under ALGORITHMIC CONTROL. https://doi.org/10.25777/d5v6-ab64

Idris, I. (2024, August 8). Deceptive Trends: The Societal Impact of Disinformation on TikTok – Australian Institute of International Affairs. Australian Institute of International Affairs. https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/deceptive-trends-the-societal-impact-of-disinformation-on-tiktok/

Khan, S., & Kumar, R. (2021). Revisiting Oldenburg’s Third Place: Leisure in the Coffee House. Revisiting Oldenburg’s Third Place: Leisure in the Coffee House, 5(1), 2515–6780. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357091869_REVISITING_OLDENBURG

McCashin, D., & Murphy, C. M. (2023). Using TikTok for public and youth mental health – A systematic review and content analysis. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28(1), 135910452211066. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045221106608

Merino, M., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., Villanueva-Tobaldo, C. V., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024). Body Perceptions and Psychological well-being: a Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on self-esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors. Healthcare, 12(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12141396

PaperSpark. (2020, June 22). TikTok and the Power of Individuality and Creativity. Paper and Spark Digital. https://paperandspark.com.au/understanding_tiktok/

Perez-Brumer, A., Balasa, R., Doshi, A., Brogdon, J., Doan, T., & Oldenburg, C. E. (2022). COVID-19 Related Shifts in Social Interaction, Connection, and Cohesion Impact Psychosocial Health: Longitudinal Qualitative Findings from COVID-19 Treatment Trial Engaged Participants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10264. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610264

Rogowska, A. M., & Cincio, A. (2024). Procrastination Mediates the Relationship between Problematic TikTok Use and Depression among Young Adults. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(5), 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051247

Rutledge, S. A., Bunn, S., Paul, M., Dennen, V., & Park-Gaghan, T. (2025). Exploring teen well-being and social media use during the pandemic summer of 2020. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2024.2447464

Searle, E. (2024, April 24). UQES. Uqes.com.au. https://www.uqes.com.au/blogs/a-tiktok-account-of-ones-own-booktok-and-the-commodification-of-reading

Szeto, S., Yee, K., & Kai, S. (2024). Support from Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 14(9), 759–759. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090759

Terradillos, J. O., Ureta, A. L., & Gras, J. M. i. (2024, June 21). Vista de TikTok y comunicación política: pautas de interacción e índice de engagement de candidatos y partidos en una campaña electoral | Revista Latina de Comunicación Social. Revistalatinacs.org. https://nuevaepoca.revistalatinacs.org/index.php/revista/article/view/2323/5004

Williamson, D. A. (2020, April 27). US Consumers Are Flocking to TikTok. EMarketer. https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-consumers-are-flocking-to-tiktok

Yahya, R., & Wood, E. A. (2016). Play as third space between home and school: Bridging cultural discourses. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 15(3), 305–322. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718×15616833