You might be hearing TikTok’s name in the news or referred to by the young people in your life. TikTok is an app and social media platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short music videos. The app has been seen as an outlet for youth to express themselves through singing, dancing, comedy, and lip-syncing.
In a joint effort between Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest’s Community Education and Marketing & Communications departments, we have launched on TikTok! We have videos in both English and Spanish, which based on our views appears to be a need we are meeting — our most popular video is at over 600,000 views!
Amanda, Community Educator from San Diego:
Why do you think it’s important we are posting on this platform?
I think it is important to use TikTok as an educational platform because we are meeting youth where they are at. It’s also a very fun way to normalize talking about sex and inform youth and people of all ages about safer sex practices and other matters around reproductive health. Uploading posts through a social justice lens is important because it shows we stand in solidarity for human and reproductive rights for all.
What do you hope people will take away from it?
I hope people will see our TikTok posts and feel confident about making decisions about their reproductive health. I also hope young people will feel more comfortable talking about sexual health and know where they can obtain the services they need to stay healthy.
Anything else?
I think TikTok is a great way to provide information! It serves as a resource for youth and people of all ages who may have questions or would like to know more about reproductive health in general. It’s also very fun and gives us an opportunity to be creative.
Jacky, Community Educator from Coachella:
Why do you think it’s important we are posting on this platform?
Since the shelter-in-place order was implemented, a lot of youth started using the app. Also, many schools last year halted a lot of their education. Youth turned to TikTok to mobilize into advocacy, but also because they weren’t receiving proper education. There is also a lot of misinformation on the internet. I think we are on this platform to give inclusive, medically accurate information when some schools are not providing this information.
What do you hope people will take away from it?
I hope it inspires people to take their sexual health seriously. Reproductive and sexual health is often dismissed because of stigma. We provide nonjudgmental and inclusive sex ed. I hope people feel safe coming to us for their reproductive care.
Anything else?
Follow us!
Vanessa, Community Educator from Riverside:
I think it is important Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest is on TikTok because it serves as a great opportunity to reach and engage with a greater audience. We have seen a presence on the platform from other affiliates, sexual and reproductive healthcare providers, supporters, and opposition — which further highlights the need to be on the platform.
For folks new to Planned Parenthood, I hope we are the first positive interaction they have with our organization. For supporters, I hope we strengthen the rapport and engagement we have with them. For viewers in general, I hope we can provide helpful information and support a positive sexual and reproductive health and education “culture.”
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Check out our TikToks, and follow tiktok.com/@pppswhealth today!
Tags: tiktok