Why Student Ministries Should Utilize TikTok

Years ago Snapchat came out and it was highly controversial for Student Ministries to get involved in it. Was it safe was just one of the many questions people had about Snapchat at the time. However, Snapchat has gotten more secure over time and has proven to be more than just a fad. In fact, here are some ways you can use it for ministry and how a SnapChat Geofilter can help your ministry event.

While I see Snapchat as a privatized social media platform that is best for ministers and volunteers to use rather than ministries, I see TikTok completely different. In fact, I think TikTok has become a game changer for student ministries as a whole.

TikTok started out years ago, back in September 2017 and by January 23, 2018 it was the most download app in Thailand. Then, it began a global expansion. I first remember hearing about it when it bought Musical.ly. Musical.ly was fun and pretty popular amongst Gen Z at the time. My own children had it. As TikTok continued to grow and develop, it’s popularity amongst the younger generation grew even more.

For some time now we’ve been hearing how popular YouTube is with Generation Z. And while YouTube continues to dominate Gen Z with children and teens aged 4-15 spend an average of 85 minutes a day on YouTube, TikTok is coming on strong. In fact, TikTok is now consumed an average of 80 minutes a day by the same age group! That’s a GAME CHANGER. Students are on it a lot, almost as much as they are on YouTube. To me, that means that it provides student ministers a golden opportunity to produce and share content on a highly viewed app.

But what for? How can a student ministry use TikTok? Here are some ways:

• Find videos your students are creating, follow them and like what you are doing. Then, when you see them in person, make a reference to it. It’s a great way to connect with students.
• Share your video content you are making for other platforms such as YouTube and share it on TikTok. You may have to shorten it to keep it under a minute but show a clip and direct people to the full clip where the full length video is.
• Share a devotional encouragement. Again, you have to keep it under a minute but share something quick that can encourage or challenge the students
• Do something funny. TikTok is fun. People watch to laugh and see what others are doing. Create something funny to share and see people engage with it.

As you explore how you might use TikTok for ministry purposes here are a few more tips and best practices.

Technology changes all the time and while there are many things that will be introduced, few have the kind of impact TikTok has had over the past few years. The more you can explore and get engaged with it, the greater the chance you have at reaching students in your youth program and beyond. It’s a great opportunity. What will you do with it?

What do you think?  Are you using TikTok for ministry? If so, how?  Share your experiences below or on social media using #ymsidekick when you share.

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