TikTok’s not THAT bad! Here are the accounts that you should be following

TikTok on the clock but the party don’t stop no… The app is all the rage nowadays but is it really as bad as it seems? We scour through TikTok to bring you accounts worthy of your follow.

In the fifth episode of our Growing Pains Season 2 podcast, multi-hyphenate mum of two daughters, Paige Parker, shared her thoughts on TikTok. “I didn’t know anything about TikTok. I just knew that it was bad! There’s nothing good about TikTok.” But as she became more comfortable and involved with the app, her stance on TikTok changed.

“If there are things in your life that are important to you, you can use social media to educate people on those things. You can do good with it, you can share the things that are important to you, and that’s why I continue to do it,” she explains.

Love it, hate it, or be ambivalent about it, TikTok is here to stay. Sure, most TikToks are either of people dancing or posting humorous content. (Humour is subjective.) And yes, you are not wrong to think that the app is for Gen Z. But dig deeper, and you’ll uncover plenty of educational accounts that deserve your attention.

We scroll through our FYP (that’s For You Page, folks) and present this TikTok guide. Happy scrolling!

Don’t stop, make it pop! 16 TikTok accounts that you should follow

1. @thehoneycombers

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Singapore, this is THE TikTok account to follow. We’ve got the lowdown on the hottest places and coolest happenings that you should hit up with the fam. Plus, there are plenty of recipes you can replicate at home with the kids! Psst, if you look hard enough, you might spot a familiar face in some videos! 🤭

2. @tutiandyuki

Tuti, Yuki, and Moshi are three mixed-breed “pet influencers” that have taken TikTok (and other social media platforms) by storm. Their videos can quickly get thousands of views because – who doesn’t love cats?! Yuki’s positive videos, in particular, have struck a chord with users. We should just admit this: cats are our overlords, and we are their slaves. Purr…

3. @skingapore

Do you know the skin is the largest organ in the human body? Hence, we must take good care of it. (Remember your sunscreen, folks!) Dr Samuel is a general practitioner who has an interest in skincare. On TikTok, he shares plenty of tips, debunks myths and misconceptions, and even lifts the veil on things such as waiting time at clinics and doctors’ handwriting.

4. @english_pros

If your child needs help with their English lessons, you can do a few things. Send them to an enrichment centre, get them to read more, or peruse Mack’s TikTok content. As a full-time English teacher, Mack can better elucidate the tricky little nuances in the English language. And all within a minute!

5. @itsp.pearlyn

Cryptocurrency? Investments? Bad financial consultants? If you’ve no idea what those mean or are overwhelmed by the amount of information about them, Pearlyn is here to assist you. Her videos can help you navigate various financial topics with ease. She also posts fun TikToks too, such as ranking ang pao rates (very beneficial for parents!) and a day in her life.

6. @clara.slays

Beauty influencers on TikTok are a dime a dozen, but no one hits it on the nose as Clara does. Her makeup tutorials are easy to follow, while her product reviews are brutally honest. Besides makeup, Clara also recommends fragrances that would make even the stinkiest flowers smell great. We like that she interjects humorous anecdotes into her videos. Relatable AF!

7. @yk

They say anyone with a phone camera can become a photographer. Is that so? Then how come your photos turn out so bad? (Oops.) Up your ~*skillz*~ with tips from this renowned Singaporean photographer. You can make your photos look trippy, produce cinematic shots, and even create double-exposed pictures. Psst, use the right hashtags when posting the images; they may garner many likes!

8. @phone_physique

Are you looking to kickstart your health journey? If you don’t intend to hit the gym anytime soon, start small by doing home exercises with Phone. He’s your free physical trainer; all you have to do is go to his TikTok for your daily workout and motivational reminders. Of course, being easy on the eyes doesn’t hurt too…

9. @ainlovescode

We’re all about female empowerment, and we’re in awe of Ain, a Singaporean minority woman working in tech! However, getting to where she is now is not a bed of roses. Ain took years to find the confidence and bravery to take charge of her career journey before eventually landing her first (and current) job before she graduated. Now, she inspires thousands of people to code and breaks into tech through TikTok!

At-home fun

Dance along to these viral TikTok videos with the kids

10. @devilwearsbata

For those who have always been curious about the dark side of Singapore, you should give this account a follow. Anantha talks about everything scary and maybe even unheard of, both on the little red dot and overseas. Not keen on those topics? The TikTok account also covers beauty, food, and lifestyle.

11. @aflouryspace

Are you a major foodie? Then we’ve got something that’ll strike your fancy. Shuangyu’s TikTok is filled with videos of her trying out various food places in Singapore, meal prep, and coming up with cool dishes and snacks. We spy a lactation cookie recipe she’s put up and we’re quite excited to try!

12. @onlinekyne

Raise your hand if you’re terrible with maths! If you can relate (or feel attacked by the previous statement), this TikTok account is good for you. Kyne is a Filipino drag queen based in Canada with a degree in mathematics. The self-proclaimed “math queen” creates bite-sized videos that cover everything from the histories of math concepts to storytimes about mathematicians. She also posts Riddle of the Day clips if you want to challenge your brain. Werk it, kween! Serve!

13. @kaelimaee

I enjoy watching cleantok TikToks. They’re so therapeutic and, perhaps oddly enough, inspiring to watch. Kaeli posts minimalist videos of her cleaning her apartment, refreshing certain parts of the house, and her daily routines. And they rack up millions of views! If you’re into ASMR, follow this account. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go clean my house now…

14. @sulheejessica

Who says lunchboxes have to be boring? If you have zero ideas and need major help in the “fancy lunchbox” department, refer to Jessica’s TikTok. This cool mum of three has crafted plenty of delish-looking bento boxes for her daughters. From Minions-themed lunches to rainbow pasta and waffles, you’ll defo be inspired and copy down these ideas.

15. @lizastian

Here’s another lunchbox inspo account to follow if you want to spice up your lunch game. Liza values home cooking and is often looking for creative ways to make delicious, good-looking meals. Be it simple or elaborate ideas, there’s nothing too difficult that Liza can’t tackle.

16. @shadezahrai

Need help preparing for that job interview or how to negotiate your salary? Check out Shadé’s TikTok. It’s packed with informative clips and presented in a calming, inspiring manner. If you managed to clinch that job or pay raise after this, you know who to thank! Shadé also touches on human psychology, including emotional self-regulation and how to reduce stress.

So… do we still think TikTok is bad?

If you’re still on the fence about TikTok – perfectly understandable, FYI – here’s what Paige has to say:

“I think parents need to educate themselves on the platforms where their kids spend their time. Don’t be scared of TikTok – educate! Find out! Go on TikTok if your children like to cook, and find some really cool recipes you can watch and do together.”

“Find ways to connect with your kids and be super relevant in their lives. That’s important. You can do that through social media,” she sums up.

Listen to Paige Parker talk about her adventures on social media (including TikTok) in our podcast episode, Embracing Asian culture as an expat…

Have a good time on TikTok! But remember – moderation is key.