Student spreads positive message in a viral TikTok video
Millions of TikTok users have responded to a GCU student’s video where she makes a light-hearted joke of her enhanced student ID photo.
Third year Media and Communication student Georgia Brown decided to share her video with the TikTok community when she picked up her student card and realised how different she looked in the photograph.
Make-up artist Georgia has been using TikTok for two years and wanted to share how she found the comparison funny.
She said; “Whilst organising my desk I came across my student ID.
My ID photo is incredibly glamorous and at 3am when I found my ID I looked anything but glamorous, I found the contrast pretty funny so I took it to my TikTok completely unaware that it would garner such a response, I was actually planning to delete it in the morning.”
Since being hesitant to first use the app due to its generally negative reputation, Georgia discusses how she has benefited from using the platform as a creative tool and to promote her work.
She said; “At first I was so embarrassed that I was posting on it, and would try to keep it hidden, but public perception of the app has really shifted over the last 6 months or so...
…TikTok and Instagram are incredibly therapeutic outlets for me to share my art and connect with other people that love makeup and creating content.
It started as a way to connect with other like-minded people as I lived rurally and share my love for makeup with them.
But I would say over the last year it’s become almost like a part-time job, which I’m so thankful for.”
Georgia pointed out how the social media platform has also been a great way to stay productive and occupied during this restricted and difficult year.
She explained; “It’s been my therapy during lockdown honestly, this time has been so difficult for everyone and on several occasions I found myself feeling so alone and helpless, and making wee videos just fills a small void.”
She added; “I’ve met so many lovely people that I wouldn’t have otherwise met, on TikTok, people from all over the world.
That in turn allows me to have important conversations about social issues and politics, something that I also want to emphasise on my platform because it would be irresponsible to ignore what is happening in the world.”
The social media world is vastly changing and Georgia explained how popular platforms such as TikTok can actually have a positive impact on the younger generation.
She said; “Being vulnerable online has really helped to an extent…by showing my acne and talking about life in general, people react in a more genuine way.
For so long I compared myself to others online, and I would hate to contribute to that kind of feeling in others, and if that means four million people see a video of me looking my worst? It’s worth it.”
Watch Georgia’s videos on her TikTok account.
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