Megan Tomoney

After a video of a man committing suicide on Facebook Live circulated around TikTok we are recognizing a disturbing pattern of inappropriate content. Content which could lead to major changes in the app itself.

The video has been seen by thousands of people, many of whom were not prepared to see such content pop up on their screen. TikTok has been actively taking down accounts that post the video but is having trouble keeping up, as it has been shared and reshared many times. Unfortunately, this particular type of content, or “scam,” is nothing new though, as both Instagram and Facebook have had it happen before.

It comes as no surprise that as social media platforms have become more popular and accessible, so does content that might not be so viewer-friendly. TikTok, an internationally popular app, is starting to see the severity of those issues that could lead to big changes in the app. If we have any idea from apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, management over such content could become harder as the app continues to grow, and in turn, our freedom might become more restricted.

TikTok, formally known as Musical.ly, was created in China in 2014 and has since become one of the most popular social media platforms with around 800 million users, with Social Media Today reporting on their #1 lead over other apps. It has art communities, political communities, LGBTQ communities, and many more.

 

 

 

Just like any other app though, it has its downfalls such as President Trump attempting to ban the app several times because of its Chinese ties and concerns over security issues. But it also has a strong love-hate relationship with the internet, with many users pointing out the toxic behavior that is beginning to pop up more and more, including a user of Sites at Penn State saying that TikTok is “the most toxic app out there.”

For instance, back in May of 2020 users were criticized for doing what they called the “Autism Challenge.” In the challenge, people used inappropriate hand gestures and facial expressions to mock disabled people. This matches another inappropriate trend called “Face Time Challenge”, which was widely the target of children.

These trends didn’t stop until people started speaking out. Particularly until Lizzie Velasquez, a prominent public speaker and activist for those with deformities and disabilities, made a video asking parents to “not teach them [kids] that being scared of someone who doesn’t look like them is okay.”

 

 

The most recent, being the shooting, was like a final straw for many. Unfortunately, this particular type of content, or “scam”, is nothing new though, as both Instagram and Facebook have had it happen before. Facebook particularly faced this exact situation, which CNN writer Sherisse Pham reported on back in 2019.

One good thing is TikTok has set in place to limit such content is something called “Family Safety Mode”, which you can view in TikTok’s settings, where parents can control the majority of their child’s activity on the app. Still, that doesn’t stop videos, like the ones mentioned above, from eventually reaching everyone, due to the amount of sharing that goes on.

As we’ve seen Facebook come under fire for these very issues, we are looking to a future that possibly holds major reform in social media platforms. Reforms that very well might limit our freedom on these apps and take away the true purpose of them, which is to openly and honestly communicate with one another while expressing ourselves.

We don’t want to see any offensive or inappropriate feed on any social media, but it draws the question of where the line is. It might not be possible to fully eradicate every single piece of false information, inappropriate or offensive content without fully infringing on freedom of speech.

We do know though, that these actions are already being taken in multiple platforms such as Facebook, with Ballantine covering what possible algorithm changes are to come. In this situation, though, we will have to see if TikTok will follow in line.

Would you still use TikTok if regulations were set in place?