A Beginner's Guide to TikTok for Older Adults

ou've probably heard about TikTok from your grandchildren, or maybe you've seen snippets of its viral videos shared on your favorite morning shows. It's not just for the young folks—TikTok offers a unique blend of entertainment, creativity, and connection suitable for all ages.

If you're intrigued by the idea of exploring this vibrant platform, we've crafted a straightforward guide to help you get started. Dive in and discover the delightful world of TikTok!

‍Step 1: Installing TikTok‍

Before you can start enjoying TikTok, you'll need to have the app on your device. Here's how to get it:

1. On your smartphone or tablet, go to the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).
2. Type "TikTok" into the search bar.
3. Find the app with the iconic musical note logo and tap “Install” or “Get.”
4. Wait for the app to download and install.

Step 2: Creating an Account‍

Once you have TikTok on your device, you'll need an account to save your favorite videos and, if you wish, share your own.

1. Open the TikTok app by tapping its logo on your device.
2. Tap "Profile" at the bottom right.
3. Choose how you want to sign up: with your phone or email, or through a social media account.
4. Follow the prompts. They'll guide you to set a username and password.

Step 3: Navigating TikTok‍

Now that you're in, let's get familiar with the main areas of TikTok:

• For You Page (FYP): When you open TikTok, you’ll land on the FYP. It's a stream of videos TikTok thinks you might like, based on what's popular and what you've watched before.
• Discover: Tap the magnifying glass at the bottom to see trending videos and challenges.
• Profile: Tap the person icon at the bottom right to see your own videos and liked videos.

Learn more about these main areas: Everything Older Adults Need to Know About TikTok

Step 4: Watching and Engaging‍

TikTok is all about interaction. You can simply watch or engage with videos in various ways:

1. Scroll up and down to watch videos.
2. Enjoyed a video? Tap the heart on the right side.
3. Want to comment? Tap the speech bubble icon.
4. To share a video, tap the arrow.

Step 5: Following Creators‍

There are millions of creators on TikTok. If you find ones you like, you can follow them to keep up with their new content.

If you like a certain creator's videos, tap on their profile picture above the heart and then tap "Follow." Now their new videos will show up more often on your FYP.

Step 6: Making Your First Video‍

Dipping your toes into content creation might seem daunting at first, but TikTok has built its platform to be user-friendly and intuitive, especially for newcomers. Making and sharing your own video can be a fulfilling experience, allowing you to express yourself in new and fun ways:

1. Starting the Process: Begin by tapping the plus sign (+) located centrally at the bottom of your screen. This is your gateway to creating content.
2. Recording: Once you tap the plus sign, you'll be taken to the recording screen. Here, you can film a new video by pressing and holding the red button. If you want to pause and continue, just release the button and press again when you're ready.
3. Adding Music: TikTok is known for its catchy tunes! Tap the music note icon to browse and select a song or sound clip. You can choose the specific part of the song you want to play during your video.
4. Special Effects: Enhance your video with various effects. Click on the effects icon (it looks like a clock with an arrow) to explore and play with options like slow-motion, time-lapse, and fun visual transformations.
5. Text and Stickers: Want to add some words or cute stickers? Use the 'Text' and 'Stickers' options on the side. You can adjust font styles, colors, and more.
6. Editing: Don’t worry if you didn’t get the perfect take in one go. After recording, you can trim your video or adjust the clip's order.
7. Proceed to Posting: Once you've crafted your video masterpiece, tap "Next." Here you'll have the opportunity to add a caption—a brief description or message to accompany your video. Think of it as giving your viewers some context or just adding a fun message.
8. Privacy Settings: Before posting, decide who gets to see your video. You can make it public for everyone on TikTok to view, or restrict it to just your followers or even keep it private just for yourself.
9. Sharing Your Creation: Once everything looks good and you're ready to share with the world (or just your circle), hit "Post." Congratulations, you've just made and shared your first TikTok video!

Remember, everyone starts as a beginner. The more you experiment and play around with the app, the more comfortable and skilled you'll become. So, embrace the journey and have fun with it!

Bonus Tips for Older Adults:‍

Navigating a new app can be overwhelming, but with a few additional tips, you'll be TikTok-savvy in no time:

• Stay Safe: Keep your profile on private if you only want friends to see your videos.
• Learn at Your Pace: There are many video tutorials on TikTok itself! Just search "how to use TikTok" in the app.
• Join the Community: There are many older adults on TikTok sharing recipes, life advice, and even dancing. Don't be shy!

Joining TikTok is like opening a door to a world filled with entertainment, learning, and connection. With this guide in hand, you're equipped to navigate, enjoy, and possibly even create.

Happy TikToking!

Still have questions? Watch our class: TikTok - What is it?

Learn More:

• Everything Older Adults Need to Know About TikTok
• How to Use Hashtags (And Why) On Social Media