Since its acquisition and rebranding in 2018, TikTok has become one of
the fastest growing platforms in the world. Moreover, it's the first
Chinese-developed platform to find mainstream international success,
carving its own niche in the global short video industry.
In the first comprehensive exploration of TikTok, Kaye, Zeng, and
Wikström provide a history of the emergent genre of short video and
situate the platform within the cultures and controversies that have
accompanied its dramatic growth. They provide an extensive overview of
TikTok's functions and uses, the diverse markets in which the platform
operates, and the issues of governance that have impacted its expansion.
Once thought to be 'just for kids', the authors illustrate how TikTok is
further transforming platform cultures and the dynamics of broader
creative industries. TikTok, the authors argue, represents an
evolutionary step in the way culture is produced and consumed on digital
platforms.
This timely book is essential reading for students and scholars in media
and communication studies and for anyone who has been captivated by the
global growth of TikTok and short video.