One of the most popular apps among teenagers at the moment is a short-form video platform called TikTok.

TikTok acts as a social network, where users share videos covering a wide range of categories, from lip syncing to comedic skits to viral challenges. But even if you've never heard of the app, it's worth getting to know it. TikTok has over 1 billion all-time downloads, and its popularity and influence has only continued to spread.

TikTok is the product of a major Chinese company, and has only been on the scene for a few years. The app has gone through name changes and gotten new features throughout its history, but it's all only helped to spur its popularity to new heights.

Here's how TikTok rose to become a platform launching a new generation of influencers and loved by teens: