7 ms·
Lots of comments here hating on TikTok, so I'll offer another perspective: TikTok is instrumental for offering children and teens an "in-group" and finding the
by tuxxy 6y ago
Lots of comments here hating on TikTok, so I'll offer another perspective:
TikTok is instrumental for offering children and teens an "in-group" and finding their interests. If you're LGBTQ, you find really wholesome content. If you're depressed, you can find people being open about their depression. If you self-harm, you can find other people discussing and opening up about it. If you're in a toxic household, there's basically a whole support network for you. It's an exceptionally human way to interact with people online, and it's so much fun.
IMHO, TikTok has been the most wholesome social network I've ever used and participated in. Even as an adult (24yo), it's even helped me explore my own identity and how I relate to the rest of the communities I'm a part of. Legitimately, TikTok has helped me feel comfortable opening up and be more "myself" in public.
- actuator 6y agoIsn't the problems from precisely what you are saying? If you fall into a recommendation hole, as long as they don't get moderation right it might be the wrong kind of hole. For impressionable audience, it might not be a good thing.
- tuxxy 6y agoTikTok's moderation team is pretty on point. Far better than any social network I've ever used before. I don't think the commenters who say they only get weird or bad content actually know how TikTok works, or how to use it. You can't just scroll your FYP and expect to get new content, you have to go out of your way to find it. FYP is just a feedback loop of videos you keep watching. If you want to start getting more queer content, for example, start searching the #lgbt or similar tags and watching/liking/commenting. Your FYP changes really quick.
- actuator 6y ago> TikTok's moderation team is pretty on point. Not the experience for my circle of friends. > for example, start searching the #lgbt or similar tags and watching/liking/commenting. What if some hate video for the community gets posted under the same/similar tag? I am not sure how it is now but mid last year one friend saw something very offensive on a tag related to his nationality with a lot of likes.
- tuxxy 6y agoIt will get reported and deleted _very_ quickly.
- breakfastduck 6y agoI don't think its very fair to claim people who don't think the content is any good 'just dont understand it'. Plus the conversation is about under 16s, I highly doubt what they're seeing is the same as you, so it's not really relevant what your feed is like.
- Nabati 6y agoThought of this wholesomeness aspect today as well: I watch a lot of strength training/weight lifting videos on TikTok, and I would say the vast majority of the comments are supportive, positive and/or constructive.
- iamben 6y agoI appreciate a lot my comment is apples vs oranges (because times are very different) - but I can still remember using MySpace, Facebook and Twitter for the first time. They all started pretty wholesome and pretty great before 'the real world' kind of seeped in. Early Twitter (in particular) was a game changer for me, who was working from home for the second time in my life. I had people to talk to and bounce things off and all of a sudden work wasn't so lonely (as I had been the first time I tried). There was a genuine community feel without all the snark and unpleasantness. I don't use TikTok, but I hope they'll be prescient enough to see where the others have struggled and keep on top their content policies, communities and moderation.
- GuB-42 6y agoI think one of the problem is when networks start mixing topics and people. If it focuses on people, you can meet with real friends, and that's fine, because you get along. If it focuses on topics, it is also fine, you meet people you don't know, but because you talk about subject you all enjoy, that's fine. Problem starts when the two mix. If you enjoy astronomy for example, the other guy may be an asshole, but you probably don't even know and you get along fine, because all you do is talk astronomy. But if the network thinks that because you like the same thing, he must also be your friend, then your feed starts filling with assholish things.
- rchaud 6y agoI have seen this play out on Instagram a few years ago. Stage 1: The person is relatable, the videos are simple and to the point. Stage 2: The following has grown, and the person now posts more frequently, however the quality/humor/personal touches are reduced. Less content about fitness, more about personal lifestyle Stage 3: Monetization. Workout PDFs, constant advertising of fitness products (protein shakes, weight belts, etc), lots of hollow 'motivation' posts. The audience keeps growing, but the community has disappeared.
- raesene9 6y agoTikTok is good for that although to FYP (For You Page) algorithm seems a bit opaque. This has led to a load of interesting communities springing up like the Sea Shanties one and quite a few musical communities doing collaborations.
- temp8964 6y agoWhat you described isn't necessarily positive. If you are depressed or self harm, maybe keep watching those videos are bad for you.
- steve_adams_86 6y agoThis isn’t much unlike the question of moderation in regards to Parler for example. We need to talk about all views and ideas and opinions, whether it’s political or about your mental health. Well, maybe sometimes it’s both. But you can’t bar talking about it because sometimes it’s bad. It’s tough. Not saying you’re wrong at all. Just suggesting there’s a lot of nuance here and it’s difficult to manage. Your point is very correct and important.
- breakfastduck 6y agoThe main point here I guess is that Children can't necessarily judge that. I don't think its particularly helpful as based on what I've seen myself, a lot of these 'support networks' actually veer on glorifying the issues. You shouldn't base your social group on an echo chamber.
- steve_adams_86 6y agoThese are all great points. I think glorification occurs because it’sa much easier way to, at least temporarily, alleviate the struggle some issues can cause. It’s an understandable response to pain, especially in young people confronted with complex internal problems. Also your point about children not being able to judge these things for themselves immediately made me think... It seems a lot adults can’t be relied on to do it either.
- breakfastduck 6y agoTotally agree on your final point! Though that's a discussion for another time... The glorification can provide short term relief but creates countless more issues than it solves.
- jansan 6y agoSo TikTok is to help LGBTQ children find wholesome content? Wow. Just wow.
- bzb6 6y agoRight? I read that and I flinched away a little. But I get corrupting western children is what China is looking for.
- ausbah 6y agothere is nothing wrong with being LGBTQ+. to insinuate "corruption of Western children by China" is extremely bigoted in several dimensions. I'm disappointed to this sort of thinking on this site of all places
- jansan 6y agoWhat is wrong with thinking that children should not be sexualized?
- ausbah 6y agonothing, of course children shouldn't sexualize - however that is not what they were discussing. they were reinforcing the harmful & factitious association between being LGBTQ+ and "corruption" or whatever
- olah_1 6y ago> of course children shouldn't sexualize - however that is not what they were discussing That should be part of the discussion, though. It's difficult to separate Queer philosophy from predatory pedophilia. It's part of the system of thought, back to the beginning. Age becomes relative, and Parenting is seen as an oppressive structure that is imposed on children.
- ausbah 6y ago
- krebs_liebhaber 6y agoWe've finally found a more insidious argument than "think of the children": "think of the gay children"!
- throwaway4good 6y agoMine is mostly jokes on tech or politics. Lots of fun. Absolutely enjoy it.
- _fat_santa 6y agoI feel like all the hate is aimed at the stereotype that TikTok is before they actually use it. If your view of TikTok is through the lens of media or the occasional repost, you'll find that it's mostly teens dancing to catchy music, which there is a ton of on the platform. But there's so much more content under the surface that doesn't get talked about. Travel TikTokers give me ideas of where to go in 2021, I stole an Oatmeal recipe from a bodybuilder on there that I still make every morning. I took some ideas about Lightroom from a number of Photography TikTokers, the rabbit holes are endless. TikTok I think it in it's "pre-mainstream" phase where you get the best of user content but it still hasn't been muddied by promo deals, partnerships and big media. Sure big media is there but most of the content I see reminds me of YouTube in that magical time between when it went mainstream with users but not big brands and corporations.
- x86_64Ubuntu 6y agoPersonally, I've enjoyed TikTok. I find the different cultures around the world making videos about their cultures to be very informative. And I'm amazed at some of the level of comedy available on the platform.
- Taylor_OD 6y agoPockets of supportive communities feel rare online that when you hit one, especially at a young age, they feel incredibly refreshing. Most of my early internet experiences were hard lessons but once in a while I ran into a group of nice people who taught me a lot and were supportive when I was getting started. It impacted the way I think about online communities.
- deeeeplearning 6y agoWtf kinda nonsense is this? What about teenage girls gyrating in skimpy clothes is wholesome to you? Have you seen who the top people on this app are? All social media is generally toxic but Tiktok is especially odious.
- Damorian 6y agoYeah, I don't buy it. I've made a few attempts to get into TikTok, because my wife and friends are into it, and I have not been able to find any positive or quality content. It's mostly low quality memes and rude or otherwise vulgar attention seeking. I understand the appeal, given my experience with other social networks, but I definitely don't buy the narrative that it's in any way "good".
- boringg 6y agoI agree with you - it rewards attention seeking behavior and short attention spans. That said I understand the term of good quality - in that it isn't vitriolic political messaging, conspiracy theories etc. It's mostly devoid of any true meaning - more like entertaining, sometimes hilarious content. I wouldn't say it's enlightening or provides much educational value. As I said early it also probably reinforces short attention span, attention seeking dopamine feed back loops... likely long term damage to brain development. Just my opinion, no facts here.
- boringg 6y agoIt also creates this expectation that your life is a performance for other people or that you produce content for other people to digest to get your dopamine rewards. There's going to be a strange generation coming down the pipeline.
- coddle-hark 6y agoIsn’t all social media like this though?
- leetcrew 6y agoyes to an extent, but there is a spectrum. I would count most forums under the umbrella of "social media", but for the most part I don't find them to have that performative aspect. platforms where your account is more strongly tied to your IRL identity and photos/videos are the main thing shared tend to be a lot more performative.
- rchaud 6y agoHow is that different from any other social network though? Even when I was a teen, there was no shortage of message boards and forums having these kinds of discussions. Sure, the video aspect wasn't there as in general, people stayed anonymous, but the sense of support was still there.
- mam2 6y agoEdit nevermind