TikTok Frenzies Putting Public Services at Risk, Warns Police and Teachers’ Unions
Police leaders and teachers’ unions are raising concerns about the impact of TikTok frenzies on public services. The BBC recently unveiled how disproportionate engagement on the app was linked to disruptive behavior, prompting a warning about the strain it puts on essential services.
The investigation conducted by the BBC highlighted four instances where TikTok’s influence led to adverse effects. These examples included public interference in a police investigation and incidents of school vandalism. TikTok, on the other hand, claims that its algorithm prioritizes safety and the building of communities.
The BBC’s research found that users are being shown videos that they wouldn’t typically encounter, which then incentivizes them to replicate those behaviors in their own content on the platform. These frenzies, where TikTok generates disproportionately high levels of engagement on certain topics, were supported by interviews with former employees, app users, and analysis of social media data.
Apart from the UK, the BBC also investigated two other cases—a fixation on the murder of four students in Idaho, leading to innocent people being falsely accused, and the belief that TikTok exacerbated recent riots in France.
Pippa Mills, Chief Constable and National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Communications, acknowledged that TikTok does have some positive effects, but emphasized that the cases highlighted by the BBC show how the app can lead to dangerous and sometimes criminal behavior offline. She noted the additional pain and grief caused to victims and their families, as well as the detrimental impact on ongoing investigations.
Donna Jones, Chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, echoed these concerns and called on TikTok to take more responsibility for the consequences of its design on its users. According to her, the main difference between TikTok and other platforms is that TikTok’s business model relies on active participation.
Teachers’ unions have also expressed worry about the influence of social media platforms on student behavior. While incidents often occur outside of school, the fallout often spills into school time, leaving educators to deal with the consequences. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) pointed out that schools are dependent on technology companies’ terms of service to address social media misuse.
The NASUWT expressed similar concerns, claiming that social media platforms are contributing to a behavior crisis in schools. General Secretary Dr. Patrick Roach urged the government to take stronger action in order to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the wider community.
TikTok has distanced itself from incidents of disorder in the past, such as the threatened looting of London’s Oxford Street, which was attributed to the platform. Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on social media companies, including TikTok, to take more responsibility and prevent the spread of irresponsible and dangerous posts that incite violence and disorder.
The publication of the BBC investigation coincided with the passing of the Online Safety Bill in the UK parliament. This bill aims to make social media firms more accountable for user safety on their platforms. The government recognized the importance of the BBC’s findings, stating that they underscore the need for decisive action to prevent social media content from spiraling out of control and endangering people.
While police and teachers’ representatives welcomed the new legislation, they also believe that it needs further improvements. Donna Jones sees it as a starting point that requires more revisions to ensure maximum protection for young people. Geoff Barton from the ASCL stated that it is still unclear how effective the legislation will be in practice.
In response to the BBC’s investigation, TikTok maintains that it recommends different types of content to interrupt repetitive patterns for users. It claims to remove harmful misinformation and reduce the reach of videos with unverified information. The platform also noted that users naturally take an interest in stories that align with moments of national conversation, which are often intensified by 24-hour news reporting. Additionally, TikTok highlighted that the BBC itself has posted numerous stories on TikTok.
In conclusion, the growing concern among police and teachers’ unions about the impact of TikTok frenzies on public services has ignited a conversation about the responsibility of social media platforms. As new legislation is put in place to make these platforms more accountable for user safety, the hope is that proactive measures will be taken to prevent the spread of harmful content and minimize the strain on essential services.
