This is that digital natives fallacy again. Being familiar with the latest tiktok trends is as important as being up to date on the latest Jersey Shore was 15 years ago; which is to say not important at all really. These kids are consumers of entertainment. They aren't automatically developing any skills just because the vehicle of consumption is the pinnacle of computing evolution.
Most people never understand technology, but most young people do understand the zeitgeist of their age because they have a lot of free time and a strong desire to fit in. It's just their social world and pop culture are on a phone now.