The Tik Tok effect: A stage for drama

By: Babiker Mohamed

If you don’t watch Tik Tok live streams these days, then you may be doing yourself a kind favor. Many Sudanese youth today are using the platform and are active on a daily basis. While many Sudanese creators on Tik Tok seem to have plenty of content, they lack actual substance or meaning. Now for the general Sudanese people, Tik Tok live seems like an easy way to eam money. Viewers send virtual gifts, which are later then converted into real cash as a way of showing support to your creator. However, the platform by design is making users spend more time and money, creating a vicious cycle of financial exploitation. When in reality, this relentless chase for cash and attention is not just a personal issue but a societal one. Young people are sacrificing their education, real-world relationships, and family responsibility for a fleeting sense of online approval. Many people who call themselves “influencers” are contributing to this problem. In short, the addictive nature of Tik Tok live is tearing the fabric of Sudanese society. Distracting our youth from education and meaningful community engagement. In Sudan, TikTok live streams have become common and for some become part of their daily routine. What is happening is quite frankly a pandemic of prioritizing virtual validation over education, family, and real world connections. The constant chase for likes, gifts, and approval can lead to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy among youth who measure their self-worth against their online popularity. Additionally, those who fail to achieve their desired level of success may grapple with frustration and low self-esteem. Adding insult to injury, many streamers resort to emotional manipulation by sharing fabricated hardships or sometimes personal issues to encourage more gifts. Others create provocative or sensational content to grab attention. Such interactions not only jeopardize their safety but also erode cultural values and norms deeply rooted in Sudanese society, further degrading the platform’s potential for meaningful engagement. The platform in some form pressures users to keep spending, even when it’s unsustainable. For families already struggling in Sudan’s tough economic climate, this obsession with virtual generosity is an additional burden. Not to mention the number of Sudanese families who are in dire need of money in recent conditions. They are the real community who really deserve our financial help. Finally, TikTok is growing in influence, therefore it is important for families, and communities to educate users about its manipulative tactics and ensure creativity doesn’t come at the cost of integrity or livelihoods.
Babikermohamed@rocketmail.com