It's becoming increasingly difficult to get away from all the news surrounding TikTok and it is understandable. Or maybe it's just me that follows this stuff intently whilst others continue to post comical little clips, blissfully unaware of the serious implications of one of social media's relatively new toys.
There are several reasons why ByteDance (who own the platform) are in the spotlight, the most concerning of which for me, may not be the one you would imagine - how they use our data. The more pressing issue I believe concerns mental health. You supposedly have to be 13 to set up an account, however research has shown that 16% of 3 and 4 year olds are viewing TikTok content with a third of all kids aged 5-7 also accessing the platform. Surely this is a time bomb waiting to go off and is possibly not being taken as seriously as the data issue.
Of course, the impact of social media and our mental health is no new concern and is the centre of continuous debate. Fears around doom scrolling, unhealthy obsessions, social comparison and even suicide envy have been apparent for some time and this isn't just having an effect on the younger population. Not a day goes by when I don't happen across a Twitter post from some exasperated contributor, declaring they are staying off the platform for a few days to redress the balance due to the psychological impact it is having on them. And these aren't your attention seekers, desperate for the 'What's up hun?' comments but those that have had their brain frazzled by the continuous ugliness and often downright hatred you regularly see.
As 'watching' social media is such a huge part of my work, I feel I have become somewhat desensitised to the vitriol. But I often feel my emotions flare or my energy sink on reading yet another post of horrific abuse, lies, belittling, venomous attacks (maybe I am more affected by it than I realise!), dished out for some form of personal recognition or in an attempt to piggyback a trending hashtag and see their name in blue bird blazing lights.
The ethos of my writing and workshops is based on the notion that we should behave online the way we would do offline. Would these racist, misogynistic, hateful abusers talk to people in real life as they do on these platforms? The majority of them wouldn't have the guts to approach their 'victims' in the first place, never mind spout the ludicrous obscenities they do. However...I digress.
The impact of these platforms on our mental health can be profound and dangerous and again evidences one of the reasons why TikTok is in the headlines. But the data side of the issue cannot be ignored. Some diatribes I have read have been bordering on the hysterical, especially when it comes to the alleged relationship between TikTok and Chinese owned CCTV companies. But it is more about who EXACTLY has access to the data that ByteDance acquires. We know that YouTube shares our info with Google but allegedly TikTok allows 3rd party trackers so....
Is it paranoia or a justifiable wariness and fear that's behind Montana in the US recently banning it (the fact that the law there imposes no age restrictions on the purchase or possession of a firearm but sees social media as more of a threat is a whole different subject!), India's continued ban, and the removal of the app from Governmental devices in various countries across the world?
The incredible speed of growth of TikTok is also fuelling the fear. It truly is a phenomena and explains Zuckerberg's desperate attempts at replication with his daily tinkering with Instagram. That growth, coupled with the conspiracy theories, mean that people in higher places are running scared. I dip into the platform every now and again only because I feel I have to rather than to personally and professionally use it. It's not because I fear the app itself, more that I will disappear into yet another mind numbing downward spiral of scrolling for hours on end rather than being concerned by how my data is being used etc.
The current momentum I believe is going to prove fatal for TikTok in its current form. ByteDance will HAVE to allay all these fears before the continuous negativity stops or it is doomed. Not only is there all the aforementioned but undoubtedly some shiny new AI inspired toy will come along that will knock it off its already unstable perch or it will implode. There will be the emergence of another negative, fatal viral trend or challenge completing its definitive demise or the bans will gather pace making it logistically impossible to exist
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