Did you see a video on current events when you last scrolled through the “For You’ page of TikTok? Politics? News?
You probably do if you are one of the 63 percent of teens and 33 percent of adults who use TikTok in the U.S. Where did it originate? Who is the creator? What does it tell you and should you trust it?
As a communication research who has researched news content on social media over the past decade, I am able to share three important things you need to know about TikTok news: what videos are news, how you got them, and what to do when you find them.
The ” five C’s of news literacy” are content, distribution and consumption. They can be used for any type of news, but they are particularly important for TikTok where anyone can upload content and the algorithm determines what is shown.
First C: Content
TikTok has a lot of user-generated material – that is, content created by users rather than news agencies – and it is important to consider what you see in your feed. It’s important to know what content is news, and what else is available.
Users can express their opinions, regardless of whether they are backed by evidence. TikTok enforces rules on what can and cannot be posted. These include content that is inappropriate for minors, or harmful content such as harassment or hate speeches. Anyone can still post their opinions about current events or anything else. It doesn’t mean that a video on an app is true.
TikTok is a major player when it comes to advertising. revenues are expected to exceed US$13 billion by 2026. TikTok tries to make videos that are boosted by paid advertising look as normal as possible. You’ve probably seen videos that look like they are “real” content, unpaid thoughts from a user. But in reality, the videos are part of a brand partnership.
The platform does, however, have some rules regarding ads. It also provides some clues to identify paid posts. You can find the “sponsored” or ad label next to a video’s username or caption. Look for a “call to action” in the video caption. For example, “tap the link below to learn more!”
TikTok does not have any specific rules regarding sharing of news. It also doesn’t distinguish between news and other types of information like opinions, video blogs, or comedy. is required for journalists at reputable news sources.
Journalists will first cite and verify their sources. They will tell you who they spoke to or which expert provided the information. And they’ll also let you know that they did research and made sure it was a reliable source. The editors of their publication and they will verify or fact check content to ensure it is true. A video sharing news content must state the source of that information and provide a link.
Second C: Circulation
If you did not search for a TikTok, probably found you. social media users are aware of TikTok’s algorithm, which decides the content they see. Algorithms use equations to learn your preferences and recommend similar content.
You can learn more about by clicking on “Share”, then “Why This Video” in TikTok. It’s usually because you have watched, liked, or commented on similar videos, searched for similar topics, or followed similar accounts. Videos that have been posted near you recently and popular topics in your area are also included.
It is important to note that TikTok users receive their own personalized feed of content, based on their actions. In the past we were more likely to get our news from the mainstream media, such as by reading the same newspaper or watching local news. Now it is possible that someone else may be getting different news. You may see content on the same subject a lot, but it is not because that topic is the most important.
Third C: Consumption
You’re probably aware of “fake” news, or what researchers call misinformation. It is also common to find it on the internet. Social media apps are aware of this problem and have taken different measures to stop it spreading. , for example, fact-checkers can flag up problematic content.
My team’s research indicates that the fact-checking program may not be successful. Facebook and Instagram have even stopped fact-checking programs. While TikTok does not allow disinformation campaigns intended to deceive, it doesn’t prevent people from sharing inaccurate.
You will have to learn how to judge what is real and fake on TikTok, in addition the clues that you’ve already read.
Consider your own biases and opinions. All of us have them. News organizations may also have biases. This means that some tend to report the news from a particular political perspective.
The more you interact with content that you already agree on, the more it will become part of your life, and , the stronger you can form an opinion about it . Consider other perspectives and look for content that represents them. You can do this by searching for content from news organizations that cover the entire political spectrum.
Pay attention to the sources of your information. Are you getting all your information from social media? According to research, Americans who use social media for their primary news source are less informed compared to those who use other news sources. In a study from 2020, the participants couldn’t respond to as many questions regarding current events, such as Donald Trump’s impending impeachment or the COVID-19 epidemic, and they were more likely than others to encounter conspiracy theories. Sign up for alerts from a few news websites.
Continue to review the content of your “For You page”. It’s not necessary to stop using TikTok. But you should continue to look for clues as to whether the information is reliable: Who is the source? Does it come from a journalist or a news organisation? It could have been a News Influencer. This is someone who has an extensive following on social media and shares current events, but who may not be a journalist. Do they cite sources and provide links?
You can search online for this information if you cannot find it. You may want to reconsider sharing or trusting the information if you can’t find a reputable news organization reporting it.
