Ready, Set, TikTok

Want to get going on the video-sharing app TikTok but don’t know where to start? Here’s help

- Sandy Cook

It started as something lip- syncing tweens and teens latched onto, a funky space where music ruled and everyone looked cool.

Now it’s a global force to be reckoned with, with everyone from celebrities to big brands harnessing its power.

“It” is TikTok, the social media platform that’s all the rage right now – the app once called Musical.ly which is all about sharing 15-second video clips of yourself set to music.

Still in the dark? Keen to get your 15 seconds of fame? Then read on.

FIRST, GET SET UP

Download the app from the Apple App or Google Play stores. Once you open the app, you’ll be asked to choose your interests from a variety of fields such as comedy, animals, entertainment, love & dating and food. Make your selection, then click “next”.

In the bottom right-hand corner, click the “Me” button and either sign up with Facebook or Gmail or with your email address or phone number.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll be brought to the feed of videos. Click on the “Me” button bottom right to add a picture to your username. You can also link up to your YouTube and Instagram profiles.

To adjust your privacy settings, click on the three dots at the top right of the screen and select the “Privacy and Safety” tab. Here, you can make your account private or public, block accounts, and set who can comment on your vids.

NAVIGATING TIKTOK

To view videos, tap the home button and start watching. To go to the next video, swipe up.