ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses American politically driven hashtags on TikTok to determine how the viral nature of the app provides a platform for users to legitimize their political stances. This chapter draws from studies that explore social media, protest, and/or activism and youth and social media political activism. Using van Leeuwen’s theory of legitimization, this chapter illustrates how TikTok users build legitimacy on the often parody-driven platform through the use of established, viral social trends and connections (e.g., memes and popular songs). Given that power and legitimacy are rooted in discourse, the chapter illuminates which discourses are most frequently implemented to (re)construct legitimacy on TikTok and drive conversations and social connection around U.S. political movements.
