Ever since TikTok came out in late 2016, it’s become a staple in society. It’s become a place for discussions, fun shopping, story times, and more, basically, an app where people can meet to discuss and see things they like. However, TikTok isn’t all rainbows and sparkles; a lot of bad comes from it too. But nevertheless, it’s a beloved app across multiple generations, especially with teens.
However, the app is on the verge of being banned in the U.S. as soon as Jan. 19. Ever since this news came out, people have been scrambling. Now, many people are downloading the REDnote app as a substitution and calling themselves a #TikTokRefugee.
What is the REDnote App?
So, what the heck is the REDnote app? REDnote, also known as Xiaohongshu, is a Chinese social networking app that has been around since 2013 and is basically exactly like TikTok. It has over 300 million users worldwide and is becoming wildly popular on the U.S. app store. As of today, the app is no. 1 in social networking — beating Discord, Facebook, and more.
Why is REDnote number one? TechCrunch noted that REDnote is laid out like Pinterest and, basically, is China’s version of Instagram — but it relies on short-form videos like TikTok.
PerFCA, the app was originally founded by Miranda Qu and Charlwin Mao as an online tour guide for Chinese shoppers. With more than $3.5 billion in revenue in 2024 alone, due to advertising, it has seemed like quite the success story. However, REDnote has had its share of controversy, including facing regulatory problems after the app was opened to users overseas. It has a TikTok shop of its own, but in 2018, many users complained of fake products, slow shipping, and more, per Azoya.
Also, it’s all in Chinese. Still, this isn’t stopping Americans from using it — many are treating it like a new TikTok, just with Google Translate handy.
Why Are Teens Downloading the REDnote App?
How do we know that teens are warming to this app? According to Bloomberg, more than 70 percent of the app’s users are reportedly born after 1990, with an even higher percentage of that being a part of Gen Z.
Of course, we know teens spend tons of time on TikTok and are understandably worried about a ban. (Per Pew Research Center, six in ten teens have TikTok, with a large percentage on it almost constantly.) We’ve already seen quite a few TikToks from teens claiming they downloaded REDnote, and there’s even a viral thread on X that shows teens helping each other out with math homework.
So, with a ban looming, it makes sense that teens are trying to find another app to take TikTok’s place.
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