The Hyperreality of TikTok Live Streaming

Abstract

The pseudo-reality within the TikTok social media platform leads its users to experience hyperreality. The utilization of TikTok as a social medium no longer serves merely as a communication or social interaction tool. Individuals become entranced by the presence of social media, choosing to exist within the virtual realm construction to the extent that they can no longer distinguish between simulated and genuine realities. This study employs a constructivism perspective through a case study approach to unveil the hyperreality encountered by creators when using TikTok's live feature, examined through Jean Baudrillard's Simulation Simulacra theory. The live broadcasts on TikTok represent a simulation of a life of popularity, ultimately propelling creators into experiencing hyperreality. This research subsequently underscores how social media functions as a simulacrum, influencing users' perceptions of both themselves and the world around them. Furthermore, it highlights the intricate complexities of cultural shifts and behavioral changes within the digital era.