Raise your hand if you’re a parent or dance teacher and your child or student has walked into the studio doing a dance they learned from TikTok.
Yeah… same.
As a dance educator, I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I’ve spent years teaching technique, musicality, body awareness, and dance history. On the other hand, a 7-year-old can now learn a full routine in 20 minutes from their living room.
So let’s have an honest conversation. No judgment.
This post breaks down:
- The good TikTok is bringing to dance
- The real concerns educators are seeing
- And what we can actually do about it as parents and teachers
The Positive Side: TikTok Is Opening Doors to Dance
For a long time, learning dance required three things:
- Access to a studio
- Money for classes
- Transportation
If you didn’t have those, your options were limited.
TikTok has completely changed that.
Now, kids can:
- Learn choreography from anywhere
- Explore different styles
- Participate in dance culture without stepping into a studio
That kind of accessibility is powerful.
A child in a rural area or from a lower-income household can now experience dance in a way that wasn’t possible before. Even kids who are shy or hesitant to walk into a studio can build confidence from their own space.
And that moment when they learn a dance, record it, and say, “I did it”?
That matters.
Dance has always been about expression. TikTok gives kids a stage.
TikTok Is Sparking Interest in Dance Classes
One of the biggest wins I’ve seen?
Kids walking into class saying:
“I want to dance because I saw it on TikTok.”
And honestly—I’ll take that every time.
Anything that gets a child excited about movement is a win.
If you’re a parent trying to figure out where to start, this ties directly into understanding how to choose the right environment for your child. I break that down more here:
👉 https://myorderedsteps.co/how-to-choose-the-right-dance-studio/
TikTok isn’t replacing dance education—it’s introducing it.
Exposure to Different Dance Cultures
A lot of trending TikTok dances come from:
- Black culture
- Latin culture
- African dance traditions
That exposure is valuable.
Kids are seeing movement styles they might not have encountered otherwise. That can lead to curiosity, respect, and deeper learning when guided the right way.
If you’re looking to expand your understanding of dance culture and history, check this out:
👉 https://myorderedsteps.co/why-dance-history-matters/
But here’s where things get a little more complicated…
The Concern: TikTok Doesn’t Teach Technique
TikTok dances are designed to:
- Be learned quickly
- Look good on camera
- Go viral
They are NOT designed to build a strong dance foundation.
So what happens?
Kids can:
- Memorize choreography
- Hit timing
- Perform confidently
…but struggle with:
- Posture
- Alignment
- Core strength
- Turnout
- Clean execution
As a teacher, I’m seeing this more and more.
Students who can nail a 15-second routine…
…but can’t execute basic foundational movements correctly.
That gap becomes harder to fix over time.
If you’re working with young dancers, building strong fundamentals early is key. I talk more about that here:
👉 https://myorderedsteps.co/foot-alignment-in-ballet-class/
The Pressure of Social Media
This is a big one.
TikTok brings:
- Likes
- Views
- Comments
- Comparisons
And for kids, especially young dancers, that can shift their motivation.
Instead of dancing because they love it, it can turn into:
- “How many views did I get?”
- “Why didn’t my video go viral?”
- “Do I look like them?”
That external validation can slowly replace internal joy.
And once that happens, kids can lose the reason they started dancing in the first place.
As parents and educators, we have to protect that.
Not All Content Is Age-Appropriate
Let’s be real.
Some TikTok dances:
- Use adult music
- Include suggestive movement
- Are not created with children in mind
But kids are still learning them.
Without context.
Without guidance.
That’s where we step in.
We can’t just hand over the phone and walk away. We have to stay involved in what they’re consuming and learning.
The Issue of Credit and Cultural Respect
Many viral dances are created by dancers who:
- Don’t get credit
- Don’t get paid
- Don’t get recognition
This is especially true for Black creators and dancers from marginalized communities.
TikTok moves fast. Attribution often gets lost.
But this is something we CAN teach.
We can ask:
- Where did this dance come from?
- Who created it?
- What style is this rooted in?
Those conversations matter.
They build respect, awareness, and deeper appreciation for dance as an art form—not just a trend.
What Parents and Teachers Can Do (This Is the Key Part)
Instead of fighting TikTok…
Use it.
1. Use TikTok as a Starting Point
If your child loves TikTok dances, lean into it.
Say:
“I love that you love dancing—let’s find a class where you can learn even more.”
Meet them where they are.
2. Watch With Them
Don’t just observe from a distance.
Engage.
Ask questions like:
- “What do you like about this dance?”
- “Where do you think this came from?”
- “Who do you think created it?”
Turn it into a conversation.
3. Connect It to Technique
Use what they’re learning online and bring it into real training.
Example:
“That was great—now let’s clean up your arms here.”
This helps bridge the gap between:
- Fun
- Skill-building
4. Talk About Social Media Pressure
Have honest, age-appropriate conversations.
Ask:
- “Why do you like dancing?”
- “How does it make you feel?”
Help them build a relationship with dance that isn’t based on validation from others.
5. Turn Trends Into Teaching Moments
Every TikTok dance is an opportunity to teach:
- History
- Culture
- Style
- Respect
That’s where real learning happens.
Final Thoughts: TikTok Is a Tool—Not a Replacement
Here’s where I land on all of this:
TikTok is not the enemy of dance.
But it’s also not a replacement for dance education.
It’s a tool.
And like any tool, it depends on how we use it.
The dancers who will truly thrive are the ones who have:
- The joy and accessibility of TikTok
- The foundation and discipline of real training
As parents and educators, we have the opportunity to give them both.
Let’s Talk
Are you seeing this with your kids or students?
- Parents—how are you navigating TikTok and dance?
- Teachers—are you seeing this show up in class?
I’d love to hear your experience.
And if this helped you, share it with another dance parent or educator who needs this conversation.
Keep dancing—on TikTok and off.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B.
