TikTok influencers use trending topics and hashtags to gain political influence

In a world where social media influencers dominate the online space, some are using their platforms to shed light on important political issues in creative ways. Take Feroza Aziz, for example, a 19-year-old TikTok star who recently used a makeup tutorial to raise awareness about the reported internment of Uyghur Muslims in China.

Aziz’s video, which has garnered over three million views, starts off innocently enough with her demonstrating how to curl lashes. But then, she pivots to discuss the human rights violations happening in China, urging her viewers to spread awareness about the issue. This tactic of blending beauty content with serious topics has become a popular strategy among influencers looking to reach a wider audience.

Similarly, other influencers like Emira D’Spain and Valeria Shashenok have found ways to incorporate activism into their content by capitalizing on trending hashtags and video formats. D’Spain, for instance, used a “get ready with me” video to raise money for the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, while Shashenok shared a “day in the life” reel from a bomb shelter in Ukraine to highlight the realities of war.

Despite restrictions set by social media platforms like TikTok and Meta, these influencers have found creative ways to navigate around them. From using duets and “hashbaiting” to flying under the algorithm’s radar, they are determined to continue spreading awareness about important issues.

As online activism continues to grow, influencers like Aziz, D’Spain, and Shashenok are at the forefront of using their platforms for good. By blending popular trends with political messaging, they are able to reach a wider audience and spark important conversations that might not have happened otherwise.