‘BookTok’ is a popular hashtag on the social media app TikTok. #BookTok currently has approximately 145.9 billion views. The tag is used as a label for lots of different video types uploaded to the app. In this post, we will answer some of the questions that parents and carers may have about BookTok and share some advice on how to support your children to stay safe online.
What is BookTok?
BookTok is an online community of book and reading enthusiasts. The tag itself comes from the combination of the word ‘book’ and TikTok’s app name. BookTok creators (often called Booktokers) upload a range of different videos. Topics often include reviews of books they have read, reading recommendations, live read-alongs, and lists of upcoming releases.
Book recommendations can take various forms, often suggesting books based on their visual “aesthetic” or the presence of specific characters or relationship types. Because of the popularity of #BookTok, some bookshops are creating ‘As seen on BookTok’ sections to promote books that are well-loved in the online community.
What are the positives?
Many of the books that are popular on TikTok are written for a teenage or young adult audience. The platform’s growing popularity and the availability of reading recommendations are inspiring an increasing number of children and young people to develop a passion for reading.
As well as recommending a wide range of books for children and young people, BookTok has also led to the creation of different reading challenges. These challenges aim to inspire readers to explore new books, ones they may not typically select, while also motivating them to read a specific number of books each month or week.
Additionally, some BookTok creators choose to use their platform to encourage viewers to diversify their bookshelves. This could be by recommending books by new and undiscovered authors or highlighting stories that feature characters of different backgrounds, abilities, and identities.
Not all the books recommended on BookTok are new or recent publications. Some of the books that have become popular on the app are decades old, and some creators choose to recommend classic books to their readers. This has led to some books returning to the publication charts years after they were first published.
What are the possible risks?
Adult content:
Many of the books that are popular on BookTok are written for a Young Adult audience. However, because the age of Booktokers varies, so do the nature and content of the books they recommend.
Some of the books recommended on BookTok are written for an adult audience, meaning they include adult or explicit content and themes. The inclusion of this content is not always made clear in the videos or on the covers or blurbs of the books themselves.
Within the BookTok community, sometimes these books are described as ‘spicy’ to show that they include scenes of an explicit or sexual nature.
Financial pressures:
Some BookTok videos feature creators showing their large book collections, the latest ‘book hauls’ and limited edition copies of new or popular releases. This can create pressure for children and young people who may feel they need to build up their own collections, purchase new or multiple copies of books, and pay money for expensive book subscription services to access special content or editions.
Just like other creators online, Booktokers may also be sponsored to promote certain books, subscription services, or events. It can be tricky for children and young people to recognise when this content is sponsored.
Top tips for supporting young people using BookTok:
Make space for conversations:
Talk to your child about books they want to read and books they have already read. Keep the conversations positive and non-judgmental because this will help keep communication open and honest.
Research books that your child talks about:
Spend some time researching reviews of the books that your child talks about. Some authors publish content warnings and descriptions on their websites, and sites like Common Sense Media provide peer reviews and age ratings for books, films, apps and games.
Ask for advice:
If you’re looking for suitable books for your child, or you’re uncertain about if a book is appropriate, asking staff in your local bookshops or talking to a librarian can be a great way to get advice and recommendations. They often know a lot about what books might be suitable for different ages and about books that are popular online.
