How TikTok Trends Are Influencing Real-World Behaviour in 2025

☆~Ducky🦆
May 1
7 min read

In 2025, TikTok is no longer just a place for dancing teens and catchy audio clips — it’s a cultural powerhouse that’s shaping how people dress, talk, shop, eat, and even think. With over 2 billion users globally and a staggering rate of content creation, TikTok has become one of the most influential platforms in the world. What starts as a short-form video can quickly evolve into a full-blown movement — with real-world consequences.

Fashion That Moves at the Speed of the Feed

TikTok has become the epicentre of fashion microtrends, where aesthetics are born, explode in popularity, and sometimes fade — all within a matter of weeks. From the sleek minimalism of the “clean girl” look to the quirky, layered “eclectic grandpa” vibe, TikTok has given rise to a fashion culture that thrives on rapid experimentation and hyper-personal expression.

What starts as a short clip featuring a simple outfit can spark a global trend, changing what people wear, how they shop, and what brands prioritize.

Retailers and creators alike are adjusting to the fast-paced nature of this trend cycle:

Thrift stores and second-hand apps (like Depop and Vinted) have reported spikes in demand for oddly specific items — such as vintage vests, long denim skirts, or bolo ties — immediately after they trend in viral videos.
Fast fashion brands are shortening their design-to-shelf timelines to stay relevant, rushing to manufacture looks inspired by viral aesthetics.
Small creators and independent designers have launched entire careers based on one or two viral outfit videos, proving that influence can come from anyone, anywhere.
Fashion content on TikTok has shifted from traditional “hauls” to storytelling formats, like “get ready with me” (GRWM) videos or outfit challenges based on fictional characters, moods, or weather.

This TikTok-driven fashion economy blurs the line between inspiration and commerce, making every scroll an opportunity for discovery — or a shopping spree.

Talk Like a TikToker

TikTok hasn’t just changed how we watch content — it’s transformed the way we speak. What once started as niche in-jokes or fleeting captions have quickly become part of everyday language, especially among younger generations. Words and phrases that originate on the platform are now used in casual conversation, brand marketing, and even mainstream journalism.

This new digital dialect is fast-moving, playful, and often deeply rooted in shared cultural references. For many, TikTok has become the dictionary of Gen Z and Gen Alpha — shaping how people express themselves, joke with friends, or comment on the world.

Here are just a few phrases that made the leap from TikTok screen to real-world speech:

“Girl dinner” – A humorous way to describe a random, snacky meal (think: a handful of grapes, cheese cubes, and crackers). Now used jokingly to describe any minimalist or chaotic eating experience.
“Core memory” – Popularized to label a sentimental or formative moment, often used sarcastically or nostalgically in video captions.
“Delulu is the solulu” – A tongue-in-cheek way to say that delusion (delulu) is the solution (solulu), often used when people are manifesting bold dreams or irrational confidence.
“It’s giving…” – A phrase used to express a vibe or comparison (“It’s giving main character” or “It’s giving 2010 Tumblr energy”).
“Slay” / “Mother” / “Serve” – Terms borrowed from LGBTQ+ and drag communities that TikTok helped re-popularize as mainstream compliments or hype language.
“No because…” – A dramatic way to start a sentence that emphasizes emotional reaction (“No because why did that make me cry?”).

Brands, influencers, and even politicians have started to adopt TikTok language to seem more relatable and in touch with younger audiences. But beyond trends, this evolution of language shows how the platform is shaping culture — one sound bite at a time.

For today’s youth, TikTok isn’t just entertainment; it’s a language lab where cultural references, identity, and humour are constantly evolving.

Food, Wellness, and Lifestyle Shifts

TikTok’s influence doesn’t stop at entertainment or fashion — it’s transforming how people eat, move, and take care of themselves. In 2025, many food and fitness habits are being shaped by what’s trending on the For You Page. Whether it’s a 30-second recipe or a wellness routine with a catchy name, TikTok has become a go-to source for daily lifestyle inspiration.

What used to be discovered through cookbooks or gym memberships is now introduced through influencers, aesthetic videos, or comedic takes — often reaching millions overnight.

Food Trends

Home kitchens are turning into TikTok test labs as people try out quick, visual, and often quirky food ideas. Grocery stores and food brands are taking notes — and action — to meet the sudden demand created by viral videos.

Examples include:

Butter boards – A visually striking alternative to charcuterie boards that trended for its shareability and simplicity.
Three-ingredient baked oats – Promoted as a quick, healthy breakfast hack with endless flavor possibilities.
“Girl dinner” – A comedic trend highlighting minimalist or chaotic snacking meals, which has sparked actual grocery marketing campaigns.
Cloud bread, mug meals, and air fryer hacks – Recipes that thrive on being easy, fun to film, and visually engaging.

Wellness & Fitness Trends

TikTok fitness is less about rigid gym routines and more about accessible, lifestyle-based movement — but it's not without its risks.

Popular trends include:

Hot Girl Walks – Long, reflective walks (often paired with affirmations or a playlist) that emphasize mental well-being as much as physical.
12-3-30 Workout – A treadmill workout involving walking at 3 mph on a 12% incline for 30 minutes, praised for its simplicity and results.
Mobility and stretch routines – Quick daily movement sequences to improve posture, flexibility, and desk-worker stiffness.
“What I Eat in a Day” videos – Controversial content that can inspire healthy eating or, when unbalanced, contribute to unhealthy comparison.

The Double-Edged Sword

While TikTok promotes body neutrality, mental wellness, and home cooking in creative ways, there are concerns:

Unqualified advice: Many creators share fitness or diet tips without any medical or nutritional background.
Trendy over healthy: People often follow what’s viral instead of what’s actually right for their body.
Information overload: Constantly shifting health advice can be overwhelming or misleading.

Consumer Behaviour & “TikTok Made Me Buy It”

The phrase “TikTok made me buy it” is no longer just a meme — it’s a powerful driver of consumer behaviour. TikTok has become a major force in e-commerce, with viral trends and influencer recommendations pushing products to sell out in hours. The app has transformed how consumers shop, shifting away from traditional ads to peer-driven recommendations and real-time reviews.

Key Influences:

Influencer-Led Discoveries: TikTok creators can take brands from unknown to viral with product reviews and exclusive promo codes, often generating massive sales in a short time.
Affiliate Links & Amazon Storefronts: Creators now use affiliate links and Amazon storefronts to turn their profiles into e-commerce hubs, making it easier for consumers to shop directly from their videos.
User-Generated Content: Authentic product reviews, unboxings, and real-world usage videos carry more weight than traditional ads, building trust and driving impulse purchases.
Real-Time Trends: As TikTok trends evolve quickly, brands must adapt to capitalize on viral moments, often pushing products into the spotlight almost overnight.

While TikTok has revolutionized shopping, it’s also led to impulsive buying and the potential for misleading trends. However, its influence on consumer behaviour is undeniable, changing how people discover and purchase products.

Digital Movements with Real Impact

Beyond consumerism and trends, TikTok has proven itself as a powerful tool for social change. Whether it’s political activism, charity fundraising, or grassroots education, users have leveraged the platform to make a real-world impact. In recent months, TikTok has played a significant role in organizing environmental protests, sharing real-time updates from conflict zones, and raising awareness about global issues — all in under 60 seconds per post.

TikTok has been instrumental in rallying people around political causes, pushing for policy changes, and educating millions about human rights and environmental justice. The platform’s ability to amplify voices, share real-time news, and mobilize users quickly has turned it into a hub for activism. Charity fundraisers and social movements have gone viral, often raising millions of dollars or sparking large-scale protests, proving that TikTok’s influence extends far beyond entertainment.

The Flip Side: Risks and Repercussions

With TikTok’s immense influence comes significant risks and concerns. The platform’s rapid spread of information — both positive and negative — has led to the circulation of misinformation, harmful trends, and dangerous challenges. This raises important questions about safety, accountability, and the platform's role in managing such content.

Misinformation and Harmful Trends: The quick spread of unverified information and dangerous challenges has raised concerns about user safety. Schools, workplaces, and governments have had to step in to address disruptive trends.
- Example: Viral pranks or risky challenges that promote unsafe behaviour.
Health Fads: Certain extreme diets or exercise routines gain traction despite lacking scientific support, posing potential harm to vulnerable users.
Mental Health Impact: Constant validation-seeking behaviour on TikTok — driven by likes, comments, and shares — can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and a dependence on digital approval, especially among younger users.
- Example: Pressure to maintain a curated, idealized online persona affects self-esteem.
Echo Chambers: TikTok’s personalized algorithm creates content bubbles by recommending videos based on past behaviour, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives and reinforcing existing beliefs.
- Example: The app can narrow worldviews and make it harder to critically evaluate information.
Addictive Nature: The endless scrolling feature of TikTok, with quick dopamine hits, can lead to unhealthy usage patterns, contributing to increased screen time, sleep disturbances, and reduced real-life interactions.
- Example: Long-term effects on productivity and mental health.

Conclusion

TikTok is no longer just a platform for entertainment — it is shaping society in profound ways. In 2025, the app has become a driving force in how we communicate, make decisions, and interact with the world around us. A 30-second video can now launch a career, transform a wardrobe, sell a product, or even spark a global movement. It has blurred the lines between social media, commerce, culture, and activism.

Whether it’s for better or worse, TikTok has evolved into a mirror for our culture, reflecting our interests, values, and challenges. But it’s also increasingly becoming a driver of change, influencing everything from political discourse to fashion trends, consumer behavior, and more. As its reach grows, TikTok will continue to shape the way we live, speak, and connect — making it one of the most significant cultural forces of the digital age.