No, TikTok Is Not Destroying Literature.
By Saron Hatsey
CW: Mentions abuse
Social media has pushed itself as one of the most, if not the most, effective form of advertising and receiving information. In turn, it weasels its way into nearly every part of our lives, including our reading lives. The hashtag “BookTok” on TikTok has racked up nearly 44.7 million posts and continues to grow rapidly. Tiktok remains as one of the most prominent ways to get your next read—and not without its controversies.
Honestly, I think the platform receives far too much negative criticism, and that likely comes from its outwardly 1 dimensional presentation of itself. Many of booktoks most popular novels follow the same 1 or 2 romance tropes- enemies to lovers or friends to lovers- and are either realistic fiction or fantasy.
Some of the powerhouses behind these novels include Sarah J Mass (A court of Thorns and Roses) and Colleen Hoover (It Ends With Us), both of which have come in controversy for either lack of representation or romanticisation of abuse. Many of the other novels (especially “dark fantasy/romance” books) that blow up on TikTok have the same issues. And while one can argue that these novels can be used as coping mechanisms for those who have experienced such issues, many tend to read more as well- funded Wattpad stories compared to an actual book.
In general, people tend to complain that TikTok has ruined the quality of literature. And while loads of the books on Tiktok tend to be repetitive, I do believe that Tiktok is still doing more good than harm to reading. If you’re just getting into reading as a hobby (and especially if you like fantasy or realistic fiction), Tiktok is a perfect place to get started. Even if you don’t, many creators recommend diverse quality literature for your every need. Want a good thriller (Twenty Years Later I’m looking at you!)? Historical fantasy? Existentialism? Self-Improvement? Booktoks got it all.
The whole “social media ruins literature” discourse can be seen in all facets of art, from drawing and painting to music. And, while yes, we see traces of this in viral videos containing lengthy book hauls and wall to wall bookcases, this unique platform gives free and widespread publicity to talented authors globally, helping reduce the publicity barrier many authors face. Exclusivity does not equal intellect, and believing that social media “ruins” literature pushes this pseudo-intellectual narrative.
So maybe the next time your friend said they got their latest read off of Tiktok, don’t judge them too hard. Tiktok isn’t literature's kryptonite- and who knows maybe you’ll find your next favourite on there as well.
