According to Karissa Bell, TikTok is stepping up measures against users who share potentially “problematic” contenttightening its rules regarding what can be recommended within the app.
These updates come at a critical time for the platform in the United States, as the company tries to convince lawmakers and regulators that the app is safe for teens.
With an update to its community guidelines, TikTok warns that accounts may be temporarily excluded from the “For you” feed if creators persist in posting content about extreme fitness, conspiracy theories, sexually suggestive material, and other topics that the platform does not intend to promote.
The new provisions
This change, effective May 17, appears to be the first to target the accounts directly of creators who post videos on topics deemed inappropriate by TikTok, regardless of whether the content violates the guidelines or not of the community.
In addition to obvious categories such as sexually explicit or violent content, controversial topics have been included, such as “dangerous activities and challenges“, as well as videos related to extreme weight loss.
Furthermore, it is now prohibited that users under 16 years old appear in the “For you” feed.
In addition to changes regarding content eligibility, TikTok announced that it will begin to sanction the creators who continue to ignore the guidelines.
Violations will make your entire account ineligible for recommendations, which will make you “harder to find” in searches.
In addition, the app will introduce a new feature called “account status“, similar to the counterpart on Instagram.
An “account check” will allow users to check whether a penalty is currently in place against them, if they are restricted from using features such as messaging or commenting due to rule violations.
Content problem
Recently, ByteDance announced TikTok Notes, a service very similar to that offered by rival Instagram; like Instagram, TikTok has over time been the subject of criticism for promoting harmful content or controversial to its young users.
While the platform had taken steps to address “problematic” content in the “For You” feed back in 2021, it continues to proliferate to this day.
An Amnesty International investigation in November highlighted how TikTok's “For You” feed amplifies the depressive content which can impact on the mental health of children and young people.
Other platforms like YouTube and Instagram have implemented similar measures over the years to counter “problematic” sexual content or nudity, but have often risked discriminating against women and LGBTQ users. It remains to be seen whether TikTok can learn from these experiences.
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