TikTok may be best known for its viral challenges and surreal skits, but the social media app is evolving into much more than a platform for comedy. How are Gen Zers using this digital channel to educate and inspire their peers? And how are their online communities impacting their offline lives?

Social media has the ability to send its users into a spiral of self-pity one day and transform their lives through the power of community the next. Canvas8 spoke to Sarah Raphael, co-author ofMixed Feelings, about our love-hate relationship with social media and what this means for brands.

Predominantly found on TikTok, e-girls are redefining what it means to be a female gamer, tackling the prejudice this community faces with weird, self-aware, and ironic humor. How exactly did this subculture arise, and what can these girls teach brands about Gen Z’s favorite new social platform?

TikTok saw a surge in downloads as global lockdowns began – and it seems that people are using the app for more than just memes. Creative cults have begun to emerge on the platform, reflecting a widely-held desire for playful community connections that help people feel a sense of belonging.