Study on TikTok: Underage TikTok users regularly see problematic content

More than 60 percent of all underage TikTok users in Germany regularly come across content that makes them uncomfortable. This is the result of a representative study commissioned by the North Rhine-Westphalia Media Authority. To do this, two researchers from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich surveyed young TikTok users between the ages of ten and 16.

Most of the young people said that they were videos that made them feel disgusted. However, more than half also reported videos in which others were intentionally hurt. Almost 40 percent said they had encountered extremist ideas.

The researchers also came to the conclusion that around 30 percent of the so-called challenges on TikTok were potentially harmful, and one percent were even potentially fatal. To do this, they evaluated the content of more than 2,500 TikTok videos. Content that is absolutely inadmissible according to the State Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media is a rare exception.

Pain representations during challenges

In most cases, these were depictions of pain, for example when participants accidentally injured themselves during a challenge. This also includes intentionally painful depictions – like the “Hot Chip Challenge”. Participants were asked to film themselves eating particularly spicy chips. The manufacturer has since recalled the chips because they are too sharp.

The study cites such challenges as a negative example of how TikTok has little or no regulation of potentially health-endangering content and can therefore spread quickly. However, TikTok takes a consistent approach to potentially fatal challenges. However, the authors of the study criticize the lack of transparency regarding the criteria used to regulate TikTok.

Parents and teachers are also responsible

In view of the results, Tobias Schmid, director of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Media Authority, called on TikTok to do more to protect minors. He admitted that this was a challenge given the large number of contents. Parents and teachers also have a responsibility, he said. “It’s not enough to just know how the child gets home after physical education class, but also who they hang out with virtually and what they encounter there.”

For the representative online survey, 755 young people between the ages of 10 and 16 were interviewed in October 2023, divided by age and gender. The analysis of the TikTok challenges took place based on 2,533 videos between October 13th and November 5th, 2023. Both German and English language videos related to a TikTok challenge were selected.

More than 60 percent of all underage TikTok users in Germany regularly come across content that makes them uncomfortable. This is the result of a representative study commissioned by the North Rhine-Westphalia Media Authority. To do this, two researchers from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich surveyed young TikTok users between the ages of ten and 16.

Most of the young people said that they were videos that made them feel disgusted. However, more than half also reported videos in which others were intentionally hurt. Almost 40 percent said they had encountered extremist ideas.

SOURCE