TikTackling Hate
TikTackling Hate - How can TikTok be used to tackle hate and disinformation?
Why TikTok?
Less than 5 years since its launch in September 2017, TikTok already has over 800 million active users, putting the network within striking distance of the heavyweight trio of Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. To add, TikTok’s unique format which works by feeding short videos to users based on their preferences has made it the social media of choice for Gen Z and younger demographics with strong potential for added growth. But, with great popularity come unique dangers.
The Problem
TikTok is overrun with all kinds of hate from anti-Semitism and racism to homophobia. The platform’s own algorithms have come under fire for perpetuating bias, notably ‘shadow-banning’ (deprioritising) “posts created by users deemed too ugly, poor or disabled.” Critics have been calling-out similar problems at other social media and even Google from the very start. But, no other global social media player stands accused of censoring content, for example anything that relates to China’s Muslim Uyghur minority, at the behest of the Chinese Government.
The Aim
We are encouraging CSOs, NGOs and individual influencers with strategies for fighting religion-based hate speech and disinformation by spreading counter-narratives on TikTok. This platform is the best place to reach the youth audience, who increasingly shun the likes of Facebook and Twitter. To add, TikTok’s format helps get your point across in a personal and relatable way, which is difficult to do with text-based platforms. Interactive functionality, like #duet that allows you to incorporate other people’s TikToks into your own, creates a sense of relevance, community and liveness.
Spreading Understanding and Positivity
Our TikTackling Hate campaign brought together influencers behind two popular TikTok channels to share their tips for promoting inter-religious understanding and positivity with you. Find their inspiring work and creative advice below:
Meet GTTO’s TikTokers
Abbie Richards
Abbie Richards, the face behind @tofology on TikTok, uses her platform of over 202k followers to debunk popular conspiracies and disinformation. An American student in the Netherlands, Abbie’s recent videos focus on the violent, anti-Semitic conspiracy ideology that originated in the US, QAnon. Abbie is also active on Twitter, where she has over 26 thousand followers.
MehdinaTV
With over 1.2 million followers, @mehdinatv is one of the most popular channels spreading understanding and awareness about Orthodox Sunni Islam. Run by the multicultural Portuguese-Armenian-Pakistani husband and wife duo of Mehdi and Mubina, the channel creates fun bitesize videos about Islamic traditions.