According to a new study, teenagers are likely to be exposed to harmful content related to suicide and eating disorders on TikTok.
In a report seen by The Kenya Times, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) established that, “it can take less than three minutes after signing up for a TikTok account to see content related to suicide and about five more minutes to find a community promoting eating disorder content.”
According to the report, the researchers said, “they set up eight new accounts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia at TikTok’s minimum user age of 13.”
The CCDH submits that: “the app recommended videos about body image and mental health about every 39 seconds within a 30-minute period.”
Last year, executives from social media platforms including TikTok, “faced tough questions from lawmakers during a series of congressional hearings over how their platforms can direct younger users – particularly teenage girls – to harmful content, damaging their mental health and body image.”
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Imran Ahmed, the CEO of the CCDH, says in the report that: “The results are every parent’s nightmare: young people’s feeds are bombarded with harmful, harrowing content that can have a significant cumulative impact on their understanding of the world around them, and their physical and mental health.”
However, the Kenya Times understands that a TikTok spokesperson has reportedly expressed their reservation on the study, arguing that it is “an inaccurate depiction of the viewing experience on the platform for varying reasons, including the small sample size, the limited 30-minute window for testing, and the way the accounts scrolled past a series of unrelated topics to look for other content.”
“This activity and resulting experience does not reflect genuine behavior or viewing experiences of real people,” they were quoted as to saying.
“We regularly consult with health experts, remove violations of our policies, and provide access to supportive resources for anyone in need. We’re mindful that triggering content is unique to each individual and remain focused on fostering a safe and comfortable space for everyone, including people who choose to share their recovery journeys or educate others on these important topics,” they added.
