Absolutely! I love the way you explained this. While TikTok can be a place to share real information, I honestly think it’s doing more harm than good. I see so many people in YouTube “Therian TikTok Compilation” comment sections spreading misinformation. Don’t get me started on how many times little kids have commented something like “Guys I think I’m a therian please help. When I was in 1st grade I liked to act like an animal and I also feel really connected to wolves.” And then in the replies will be “Welcome to being a therian! You’re totally one” or “Do you feel like you were an animal in your past life cause that’s what a therian is” and whatnot. And so many “How do I become a therian” comments. It’s so annoying and I always feel the need to correct them, which is just exhausting

Great statement! I feel a lot of newer therians need to know this.

That being said though…I am a bit of a “gear person” myself. I would love to make a tail, and I love making animal masks. Though some of the masks are not of my theriotypes, I love making them because it’s fun and creative, and sometimes helps me connect to my “animal side”.

I'm very glad this is a thread, I think more people need to understand it.

I only have one tail that I wear and only rarely. I make animal masks but don't exactly consider them gear since they're not of my theriotypes most of the time. I have lots of shirts and accessories with animals on them, and I love to have those to express my identity.

I have gear of my own, only masks though, I painted them and all X3 I think its fun. And it helps me connect with my theriotypes. Because its one of the things I can actually do, without my parents wondering etcetc. Though Gear doesn't make you a therian.

I love gear when I'm feeling particularly shifty and just to express myself! It's also just super fun. I do see quite a few children on tiktok though who seem to think that gear is what makes them a therian? It's quite strange but I'm guessing they just get confused with therians and furries. Either way, gear is awesome!

I don’t have enough points to buy one but I will certainly buy one when I do have enough points

I think that there are some people trying to poison the community with misinformation but there are also a bunch of kids just misinformed in thinking they are real therians, which they aren’t and they start making this kind of videos because they think you are supposed to.
So yes I think TikTok is harming therians in one way or another

Therians get A lot of hate on tiktok. I was one of them but then I quit. I got hate every single post.it is super harmful to therians, But things on tiktok are also plainly wrong. Those people need to do some reaserch.

i know im a therian because ive been a dog since i was young. a young kid hiding in the corner like a scared animal, running outside at night, and just being "abnormal" in general. its definitely partly to do with my trauma and schizophrenia, and i just feel the animal inside me, being me. i am a dog, i just am.... idk if this is just the ramblings of a mad man XD

(2023-06-26 12:22)Lupus Ferox Wrote:  

(2023-06-24 5:44)Alliana Wrote:  Otherkin beings to me are like elves and dragons for instance that have a community.

What do you mean, humanoids?

I mean those who are sapient, don't have to be humanoid. Just those who don't act wild or anything, that would apply to therians.

Sorry if I don't make sense. But that's what I believe.