What Teens Encounter When They Join TikTok
Research indicates that when a teenager signs up for TikTok, they are quickly presented with harmful material related to topics like eating disorders and extreme online subcultures, keeping them engaged while the platform benefits from advertising revenue.
Neelam Tailor tested TikTok’s recommendation system by creating profiles for two fictional minors—a 14-year-old boy named Rami and a 13-year-old girl called Angie. She examined the app’s “For You” feed to understand what types of content younger users encounter, replicating findings from studies conducted in 2022 and 2024.
With input from Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr of University College London and Imran Ahmed from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, this investigation highlights how TikTok encourages vulnerable teens to view dangerous material, including self-harm, suicide, and extremist ideologies.
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