In the last decade, social media platforms have skyrocketed in Gen-Z usage. From Snapchat to TikTok, teens across the nation have created accounts, posted content, and developed their own digital algorithms.
TikTok has become one of the most frequently used media platforms, with roughly 1.9 billion active users. From fashion trends to music hits, TikTok has played a major role in the culture of youth today.
Similar to the rest of American teens, many students at Essex High School have engaged with the app, even giving some students a taste of fame– or perhaps going viral.
In late July, Essex High School (EHS) junior Zach Jackman went viral on TikTok, amassing over 890k views and almost 150k likes. 
“Hundreds of thousands of people were seeing my face and my content, which made me excited,” Jackman said. “It’s not super hard to go viral, you just need to know your audience and make good content for the algorithm.”
Jackman’s viral moment included two photos comparing high school to middle school, relating to students who will graduate in 2027.
“Some people locally that I didn’t know recognized me around town,” Jackman said. “I just post for fun, and if it blows up and goes viral, I’m never upset!’
Jackman isn’t the only student who’s gone viral from EHS. Junior Eliza Fraser, last December, received 13.7 million views and 2.1 million likes on a TikTok post.
“At first it felt sort of surreal,” Fraser said. “What do you mean 13 million people have seen a video I made?”
Fraser’s viral video included a slideshow of things she wants in her future home, including a variety of heated furniture items, with the caption “it’s freezing in here.”
“I’ve had a few videos go viral, so the first time a lot of people were definitely talking about it at school,” Fraser said. “I had a lot of people come up to me and tell me they saw my TikTok on their For You page.”
This isn’t Fraser’s first rodeo. She has also received 500K+ views on three other separately posted videos.
“I definitely could see myself becoming a content creator if I decide to focus on it,” Fraser said.
