Tag: tiktok

Gen Z is using Social Media to find answers about their health

What began as an app for silly dances and memes has become a bustling platform for the content of all kinds. Tiktok has become a place where you can learn all sorts of information, from recipes to budgeting tips, music, entertainment, history lessons, where to eat, and where to shop. The corners of Tik Tok are endless, whatever you seek. Not only are there videos posted about virtually everything, but we, as viewers, trust this content more often than not. In September, the New York Times, among other publications, reported Tiktok rivaling google as a search engine among Gen Z, with 40% of young people going to TikTok or Instagram over google to find places to eat. The platform has adjusted accordingly, making it easier to find related information using keyword searches.
For Gen Z, there is a lot of distrust in the establishment across several conductors of authority. Gen Z tends to trust the experience of their peers first and foremost. Employer benefits news reported that a recent study by CharityRx discovered that one in three Gen Z users consult Tik Tok before their doctors for health advice. When we consider the topics these Gen Z users seek advice for, anxiety, depression, and weight loss, one can infer that these are all topics traditionally met with judgment from an older generation. While, yes, post-pandemic, we are a more understanding and more mental health-aware society, old habits die hard, and Gen Z may see Tik Tok as a source devoid of judgment.
It’s easy to brush off the trends of a younger generation as fads that will pass, but in terms of social behaviors, social media is a pillar here to stay, like it or not. You can either jump on the bandwagon or get lost in its dust. While many fact check the information they find online, only some do. There is a space online waiting to be filled with truthful information to rebuild the trust it seems Gen Z lacks in healthcare. Gen Z has proved time and time again that just because this is how things have always been done doesn’t mean they will continue to be done in the same way. As a whole, the industry needs to maintain relevance by being the source of knowledge online, meeting this generation where they are instead of hoping they will come to you because we already see that they won’t always.
The truth is Gen Z is just one generation on Tiktok. The platform caters to users of all demographics. Being a peer is being on the app and part of the community as a whole, Gen Z has the spotlight, but they are only one segment of the 750 million monthly users worldwide. In a separate article from Employer benefits news regarding the uninsured population of the gig economy, Stride Health’s CEO, Noah Lang, makes the point that the key to success when it comes to the benefits landscape today is “education, awareness and frequency, and making it easier for their workers to be aware of opportunities.” We must use new mediums to communicate and educate people of all employment statuses about their coverage accessibility.
As a source providing access to benefits for all part-time workers, freelancers, the gig economy as a whole, and any under-benefited individual, Tiktok has been on our radar for some time. It’sIt’s a big wide world out there. Just waiting to hear what you offer; we’ll see you there.

Sources

https://www.benefitnews.com./news/gen-zers-are-turning-to-tiktok-to-answer-healthcare-questionshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/technology/gen-z-tiktok-search-engine.htmlhttps://www.benefitnews.com./news/24-of-workers-in-the-gig-economy-are-uninsured-how-can-employers-help

The Creator Economy AKA the Everyone Economy

 Over the last 20 years, how we consume entertainment and media has drastically changed. Back in the day, we had accepted that the Marilyn Monroes and Elizabeth Taylors of the world were of a different species, unattainable in lifestyle, image, and wealth, only existing behind the gates of MGM to a world now where anyone and everyone with a smartphone can attain status. While I wouldn’t dream of comparing the likes of Emma Chamberlin to Marilyn Monroe, my point is concerning influence and wealth. Many dismiss the concept of content creating or influencing (depending on your audience) as a genuine career. Still, you have to consider the undeniable fact that Miss Chamberlin, at the age of 19, bought herself her first home in West Hollywood for 3.9 Million dollars. Now, of course, Emma Chamberlain is a success story at the most extreme side of the creator economy spectrum, but she is not the only one living on her content creation. 

Content creation refers to the work used to hopefully sway viewers to embrace a trend or purchase a product. There are many kinds of content creators, some of which, like Emma, are personalities themselves influencing viewers because they want to be like her. Others, for example, make UGC or user-generated content that brands can use for “organic” appearance advertisements. While to make UGC, you may be an influencer in your own right; you are more likely just making clean content that marketers hope looks like a natural person using and praising their product. Of course, there is also the degree of influence to consider. With this desire to appear honest and real many marketers look to smaller accounts, dubbed “micro-influencers,” to promote their products. If you haven’t guessed it by now, what makes the creator economy go round is the social media platforms they frequent but more so the brands sending them products and writing checks. Now to be clear, it isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. A tiny portion of the influencer economy is making the big bucks, but just enough people do that everyone else believes they can. A survey by the Morning Consult in 2020 of 2,000 13-38 year-olds found that 54% of respondents wanted to be an influencer, and 86% would be willing to post sponsored content. In other words, the influencer economy isn’t going anywhere. Such a high demand for this career can inspire anyone looking to join in, as well as inform company owners who are either hesitant about the whole debacle or worried they waited too long to jump on the bandwagon. There are many nuances to the creator economy that may feel intimidating to utilize from the outside looking in. Still, you can better understand the driving forces behind many of today’s purchasers by understanding the opportunity of a micro-influencer as a trusted messenger for your product or service. Many are influenced to purchase products or hope to influence others by buying products. Either side of the coin puts anyone unwilling to accept and use the creator economy to their benefit at a severe disadvantage in today’s consumer climate.