jugendschutz.net-ReportDangers for young people from opinion bubbles and extremism on TikTok

TikTok is used by young people because they can find entertainment, information and connections there. However, a new report by jugendschutz.net shows how easily they can fall into extreme or populist echo chambers. Part of the problem is TikTok's suggestion algorithm, which shows users more and more content of the same type - including extremism, disinformation and conspiracy theories. An entire network of content creators is taking advantage of these platform dynamics, as the report shows. This also has an impact on young TikTok users. Motivated by increasing reach and positive feedback from extremist communities, they are increasingly posting radical content on TikTok themselves.

Dangers for young people from opinion bubbles and extremism on TikTok

For many teenagers and young adults, TikTok is a space for exchange, creativity and new ideas. They see the platform as a place where they can become more independent, find themselves and discover suitable social groups. Many users are also aware of the problematic aspects of TikTok, which include hate content or false information. They are also aware that content, both good and bad, is selected by an algorithm based on users' preferences. However, critical reflection and questioning of this selection does not always take place.

This can facilitate manipulative behavior by extremists, as a new report by jugendschutz.net shows. In closed opinion bubbles, a distorted image of society can emerge - especially if trust in democracy is undermined. It is extremely problematic that young people may try to make a name for themselves through controversial content. The positive feedback can set off a spiral of radicalization.

Such a spiral can begin, for example, with extremely exaggerated threat scenarios, such as those often spread on TikTok. These include false reports of election fraud, lurid reports of violence by refugees and gruesome images and videos from conflicts. Prolonged and repeated exposure to such content can influence young people's view of the world and make extreme attitudes appear normal. Morally charged hatred also makes it more difficult for young people to develop values. In many TikTok videos, exposure, violent fantasies or defamation appear to be acceptable forms of expression. One example of this is the practice of putting actual or falsely accused criminals on the online pillory.

According to the report, it is not uncommon for some extremists to make non-political appearances. For example, they lure young people in via supposedly harmless trends or participatory campaigns. This can lead to young people unconsciously adopting right-wing codes, which trivializes and normalizes extremist views. And it can be a gateway for young people into the extremist scene. According to jugendschutz.net, it can also be observed that young people who originally posted non-political content are increasingly publishing radical posts after receiving a lot of encouragement from the extremist TikTok scene. In their search for recognition and reach, they quickly become part of an extremist TikTok bubble themselves, even though they did not initially share the scene's ideology.

According to jugendschutz.net, several approaches are necessary to counteract these dynamics. First of all, age-appropriate security settings and the consistent removal of problematic content are important. Equally important is education about echo chambers, the strategies of extremist actors and responsible use of personal content on TikTok. And finally, a more transparent design of TikTok's recommendation algorithm itself could help to minimize the risks on the platform.