TikTok frenzies, which encourage anti-social behavior, are putting a strain on public services, warns police leaders and teachers’ unions. The disproportionate engagement driven by TikTok has been linked to disruptions such as interference in police investigations and school vandalism. These frenzies occur when TikTok drives high levels of engagement to certain topics, leading users to perform unusual actions in their own videos. The BBC investigation found several examples, including the disruption of a police investigation and the false accusation of innocent people in the US state of Idaho. Additionally, TikTok has been accused of fueling recent riots in France.
Police leaders and teachers’ unions are deeply concerned about the impact of TikTok on public safety. Chief Constable Pippa Mills emphasizes that TikTok can lead to dangerous and criminal behavior offline, causing additional pain and grief to victims and their families. Donna Jones, the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), calls on TikTok to take more responsibility for the consequences of its design on users. Teachers’ unions also express concerns about the influence of social media platforms on students’ behavior.
The government has recently passed the Online Safety Bill, which aims to hold social media companies more accountable for user safety. The TikTok frenzies highlighted in the BBC investigation underscore the importance of this legislation. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan states that social media platforms failing to comply with safety duties could face fines reaching billions of pounds.
While the new legislation is welcomed by police and teachers’ representatives, they argue that it should go further to ensure maximum protection for young people. TikTok claims to prioritize safety by recommending different content, removing harmful misinformation, and reducing the reach of videos with unverified information. However, the impact of TikTok frenzies continues to be a cause for concern, as they have negative consequences for criminal investigations, public services, and schools.
In conclusion, TikTok frenzies are straining police resources and affecting schools, leading to disruptions and uncontrolled behavior. The Online Safety Bill aims to address these issues, but further revisions may be necessary to ensure adequate protection for young people.
