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I don't know, but I bit the bullet and joined TikTok a year or so ago in spite of all of my privacy-protecting practices I do for most things (uMatrix in Firefo
by ragnese 4y ago
I don't know, but I bit the bullet and joined TikTok a year or so ago in spite of all of my privacy-protecting practices I do for most things (uMatrix in Firefox, my always-on VPN, etc) just to see what had people so absorbed and/or alarmed about it.
And I have to say that I'm terrified of it. I hate how alarmist and dramatic that is, but the utter falsehoods and vitriol that seems to go viral on there is just evil. I hate that a bunch of middle school children might be exposed to so much propaganda. From political messages to anti-vax fake science to "did you know?"-style rewriting of history, it's just awful. And so much of it is spread/re-shared by young, hip, people that kids will identify with as cool and/or trustworthy.
And there's no real way to actually engage with any idea. Not only are the videos extremely short--way too short to actually make any legitimate points or arguments about a complex topic--but even the text replies are Twitter-style and only allow some handful of characters, so again, it's basically impossible to even refute any of these ridiculous falsehoods. The only possible discourse is to insult each other or share vacuous slogans, memes, and truisms.
I know conspiracy theories and lies have always existed, and of course I realize that we were all taught history with some bias, etc. But the speed with which this stuff spreads is incredible. My partner has an 11 year old who was on TikTok and I was CONSTANTLY needing to correct him (gently, of course) when he would share a "fact" he "learned". A recent one was that the T-Rex skeleton's arms as we know them are actually backwards, and that "we" now know that they were more like little chicken wings. This was, of course, a fairly benign example, but I've had to correct him (with evidence) on other topics that make me much more concerned. Luckily, he's not on TikTok anymore.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 4y agoI understand the concern, but is it that different from early 90s internet spread of drugs made of bananas or even before that urban legends? I know that it is easier to ban stuff than teach critical thinking skills, but I genuinely think the latter is preferable long term. In my defense, my kid is still too young to engage in this stuff so that might be the reason I am less alarmed. I hate to say it, but my parents did a fair amount of watching with us and they tried to put things in context ( I still remember my dad scolding me after I repeated blatant propaganda line I heard on the news ). The time you spend correcting your kid is not wasted.
- rchaud 4y agoUrban legends were spread by word of mouth, like Marilyn Manson removing two ribs so he could self-fellate. We'd hear it from 'that guy' at school, laugh and get on with our day. TikTok is that guy today, and unlike the '90s, he lives in your pocket and can deliver other such interesting tidbits on a variety of topics, 24 hours a day.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 4y agoSo urban legends are more accessible now. It only adds more of a responsibility on parents to either spend time with their kids and put TikTok vids in context or just let them be exposed to all the garbage out there. It is not that different from the TV panic. There are differences, but similarities are striking.
- hoseja 4y agoOr the difference is as between wild-type Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA.
- rchaud 4y agoTV is moderated by the FCC's broadcast standards, delivers the same content to everyone and is finite in quantity. Tiktok is none of those things.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 4y agoThis may be where ( and why ) we differ. I do not consider FCC to be, well, useful. It was not useful during Carlin's words you can't say on TV. It is certainly even less useful now. I am confused. Are you arguing for social media government oversight?
- walthamstow 4y agoWhat if the parent isn't informed enough or, frankly, isn't smart enough to correct their child, add context and teach critical thinking?
- MockObject 4y agoIf people continually discover that the history and science "facts" they learn from Tik-Tok are false, they will eventually develop the healthy skepticism which humans have needed for survival ever since the first lie was invented in the mists of prehistory.