We’ve all heard of it: gatekeeping, one of the most prolific terms to infiltrate our TikTok ‘For You’ pages and timelines in recent years. For those who are not chronically online and blissfully unaware of what gatekeeping is, the term refers to the act of intentionally (or what viewers perceive to be intentional) withholding information regarding where certain items shown in their posts are from. This can range from where a top is from or where someone bought their eclectic toaster-shaped bath mat. Should the original poster choose not to share, they are likely called out, and in some cases, other creators will make videos calling the person out for their gatekeep-y ways. Sometimes, it seems like it is more about the act of gatekeeping than the item itself. Social media has set up this insatiable thirst for relatable content, making any perceived boundary, justified or otherwise, seem like an affront to those consuming your content. Alongside being “canceled” or “exposed,” being...
