In an age when social media is a focal point in many young adults' lives, Sun Devils are leveraging their TikTok platforms to both connect with their audiences and provide insight into the ASU student experience.
Mia Holland, a junior studying business, began building her social media presence in high school. When she started attending ASU, she learned that creating content could become more than a fun hobby. Over the years, she has grown her following on TikTok to over 395,000 people.
"(Social media) was something that I could actually make money on," Holland said. "(It) could possibly be, maybe not so much a career, but definitely a job."
Beyond TikTok's role as a side hustle, campus influencers also appreciate its place as a connection point for students. Bella Ronquillo, a freshman studying journalism and mass communication, said she appreciates how broad the social media platform's community is.
"Sometimes you feel so alone, and then someone on Tiktok will say something, and you'll be like, 'Oh, maybe I'm not alone, this person feels the exact same way,'" Ronquillo said.
ASU students can also use their positions as Sun Devils to fill a niche within the social media world. Sarah Buckley, a sophomore studying marketing and business, utilizes her platform to show her pride in the University and its opportunities, such as the study abroad program she's currently on.
"I'm very proud to be a Sun Devil," Buckley said. "I want everyone to come to ASU. I think that it's an amazing school, and I love it here."
Being a student influencer, though, does come with challenges. Having a consistent online presence means students have greater pressure to create content.
"I would love to create one video every day, several videos every day," Buckley said. "It's hard when you have lots of different classes and whatnot, and especially being abroad. It's hard to balance living in the moment and wanting to document everything as well."
Additionally, they face difficulties that exist with the increased public scrutiny that goes along with a large social media following.
"I have to be very careful about the things I say," Holland said. "I have learned in a few different ways that you have to be careful about the way you word things and the way you say things because people will take things the wrong way."
To combat these pressures, Buckley said she does her best to portray herself accurately to her audience.
"It's very important to show all sides of yourself and be truthful and honest on your social media," she said.
Holland voiced similar views on the subject.
"At the end of the day, I'm here, I'm going to be myself," Holland said. "I'm going to put myself out there, and the people who want to stay will stay."
The lack of clarity on the future of TikTok is a point of difficulty for student creators. Part of this uncertainty arises from the threat of a national TikTok ban. On April 4, President Trump announced on TruthSocial that the enforcement of the sale-or-ban law for the platform would be pushed back another 75 days.
READ MORE: TikTok's battle for survival: The app's ban and Trump's new order
"It feels unreal, honestly," Ronquillo said. "We've been saying there was going to be a ban for I don't know how many years."
The looming deadline is a point of stress for the student creators, who rely on the app to share their content with the audiences they have built up.
"We all need to have a little bit of empathy for each other and realize creators are supporting themselves through this app, these are people's lives on the line," Buckley said.
Despite the challenges students face from posting pressure, social scrutiny and political hurdles, the influencers want to have a positive impact on their viewers.
"That's really, really special to me, to be able to give my insight and my story, to be able to help people through anything that they're going through, or inspire people to either be better or have more fun or take a chance online," Holland said.
Beyond a positive impact, influencers also want to inspire students to find joy in their college experience.
"I hope that if (students) are not having the best experience that my content can help them find ways to enjoy where they are," Ronquillo said.
Edited by Senna James, Sophia Braccio and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at kagore1@asu.edu and follow @kategore_17 on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Kate is a freshman studying journalism and mass communication. This is her second semester with The State Press.
