From new TikTok trends to the launch of IG Reels, this summer in the media world has been something that we have never seen before. Quarantine has allowed us to explore new ways to express and entertain ourselves while being at least six feet apart.
Video-based apps have become increasingly popular over the past few months, dominating the media industry. Even with threats of getting shut down and other platforms such as Triller and IG Reels competing for the crown, TikTok continues to come out on top.
The success rate of TikTok is like no other. In addition to popular content creators such as David Dobrik and Jojo Siwa dominating the app, TikTok created stars of its own. Teens like Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, and Noah Beck are taking the platform by storm one dance at a time. These stars get millions of views on their videos, which is a great representation of how powerful and influential TikTok is.
As a result of TikTok and Triller’s popularity, Instagram wanted in on the mix. This past August, the photo-sharing up launched a new feature called IG Reels. Similar to TikTok and Triller, Reels allows users to create and shoot video content for up to 15 seconds while having the ability to add filters and music.
Connecting with people digitally became more popular than ever this summer, and artists and celebrities were quick to find ways to keep fans entertained safely. Virtual concerts such as Global Citizens Together at Home were held, and stars such as Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, John Legend, and many more broadcasted live from their homes.
Celebrities also have used Instagram Live to their advantage. According to Vox, Google searches for Instagram Live have increased rapidly ever since quarantine rules have been instituted. This new way of participating in lives has allowed for many creators to exponentially grow their fanbase. Having the ability to archive Instagram lives and post them to YouTube is just another way celebrities are keeping up with the times. John Legend and Sam Smith’s archived Instagram Live from Global Citizen’s Together at Home has reached up to over 2 million views.
As the summer months progressed, creators kept pushing the boundaries of new ways to host events socially distant style. The MTV Video Music Awards are a great example of what the future of live events may look like. The mixture of live and pre-recorded performances from stars such as The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, BTS, and more graced our screens in August, giving us a sense of normalcy. The VMA’s also incorporated fans by broadcasting their faces around the set of the show to get live reactions from them.
This summer showed the importance and strength of the digital world, and its ability to thrive during unprecedented times.