The Problem with TikTok
The infiltration of a generation.
Good morning everyone,
Unless you have been living in a cave for the past six years, I’m sure that you either have heard of or use TikTok on a daily basis.
The Chinese-owned social media company has been hitting record milestones in profit. Its trajectory is on pace to surpass Facebook and every other social media giant very soon.
But the problem looming over America is TikTok exploiting user data and the ruthless censorship. (Kind of how Facebook did until the government stopped that.)
TikTok & The Public
TikTok differs from most social media apps in that they don’t focus on the “social” as much. Instead, their algorithm intently analyzes how you react to the content and then shows you more of whatever you are interested in.
There are similar aspects seen in almost every social media company. However, these companies haven’t quite been able to curate their feeds in the way that TikTok has done.
The longer the user stays on the app, the better the algorithm recommends content. At the same time, the app collects information about its users to 1) make advertisements more efficient and 2) keep user retention and engagement high.
The power that this app holds goes as far as being able to sway mass amounts of people right or left politically. But, of course, it all depends on TikTok’s objective. Sending people down whatever extreme rabbit holes they want to, at will.
Its reportedly been said that TikTok purposely censors people that are “chubby,” “too thin,” and have an “abnormal” body shape, as well as many other factors.
If it’s not apparent yet, this is a big problem.
Considering that TikTok has nearly 2.3 billion users and is growing, they are instilling negative images and impossible standards to live up to.
Kind of like how it’s popular for models on Instagram to photoshop their pictures. But in TikTok’s case, they are deceiving a whole generation with their TV-style content that keeps people hooked for hours on end.
Young people are impressionable, which is what makes TikTok so dangerous.
Harsh and unfair values are passed on cyclically. So it is of the utmost importance to address our society’s youth and explain to them that most of what they see on social media, especially on TikTok, isn’t real.
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I know many people who use TikTok daily, but I haven’t met someone who has been better (mentally) for it yet. That being said, To each their own. Just take care of your mental health before it comes back to bite you.
I hope you have a great day and remember to live in the moment.
