New research finds that TikTok's powerful algorithms are promoting videos about self-harm and eating disorders to teens.
FILE - The TikTok logo is seen on a cell phone on Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. New research finds that TikTok's powerful algorithms are promoting videos about self harm and eating disorders to teens. The findings come from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which created TikTok accounts for fictitious young people living in the U.S., Britain, Canada and Australia.
“It’s like being stuck in a hall of distorted mirrors where you’re constantly being told you’re ugly, you’re not good enough, maybe you should kill yourself,” said the center's CEO Imran Ahmed, whose organization has offices in the U.S. and U.K. “It is literally pumping the most dangerous possible messages to young people.”work by identifying topics and content of interest to a user, who is then sent more of the same as a way to maximize their time on the site.
TikTok prohibits users who are younger than 13, and its official rules prohibit videos that encourage eating disorders or suicide. Users in the U.S. who search for content about eating disorders on TikTok receive a prompt offering mental health resources and contact information for the National Eating Disorder Association.
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