Explicit content has long been a feature of the internet and social media, and young people’s exposure to it has been a persistent concern. This issue has taken centre stage again with the meteoric rise of TikTok. Despite efforts to moderate content, it seems TikTok’s primary focus remains on maximizing user engagement and traffic, rather than creating a safe environment for users.
As the top social media app used by teens, the presence of explicit content on TikTok can put young users in harm’s way. And while TikTok and regulators scramble to catch up with moderation needs, it’s ultimately up to parents and users to navigate these harms online.
TikTok relies on both automated and human moderation to identify and remove content violating its community guidelines. However, TikTok’s automated moderation system isn’t always precise. This means beneficial material such as LGBTQ+ content and healthy sex education content may be incorrectly removed while explicit, harmful content slips through the cracks.
Content moderation is further complicated by user tactics such as algospeak, which is used to avoid triggering algorithmic filters put in place to detect inappropriate content. In this case, algospeak may involve using internet slang, codes, euphemisms, or emojis to replace words and phrases commonly associated with explicit content.
Many users also resort to algospeak because they feel TikTok’s algorithmic moderation is biased and unfair to marginalized communities. Users have reported on a double standard, wherein TikTok has suppressed educational content related to the LGBTQ+ community while allowing harmful content to remain visible.
TikTok’s guidelines on sexually explicit stories and sexualized posing are ambiguous. And its age-verification process relies on self-reported age, which users can easily bypass.
Many TikTok creators, including creators of pornography, use the platform to promote themselves and their content on other platforms such as PornHub or OnlyFans. This type of content promotes unhealthy attitudes towards sex and consent and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes.
Young boys struggling with mental health issues and loneliness are particularly vulnerable to incel rhetoric and misogynistic views amplified through TikTok. Controversial figures continue to be promoted by algorithms, driving traffic and supporting TikTok’s commercial interests.
Self-proclaimed men’s rights advocates center their content on anti-feminist discourse, hyper-masculinity, and hierarchical gender roles. What may seem like memes and entertainment can desensitize young boys to rape culture, domestic violence, and toxic masculinity.
TikTok’s promotion of idealistic and sexualized content is also harmful for the self-perception of young women and queer youth. This content portrays unrealistic body standards, which leads to comparison, increased body dissatisfaction, and a higher risk of developing eating disorders.
Due to its popularity, TikTok offers a unique opportunity to help spread educational content about sex. Doctors and gynecologists use hashtags such as #obgyn to share content about sexual health, including topics such as consent, contraception, and stigmas around sex.
Dr. Ali, for instance, educates young women about periods and birth control and is an advocate for women of color. Sriha Srinivasan promotes sex education for high-school students and discusses sex myths, consent, STIs, periods, and reproductive justice.
The accessibility of sexual content on TikTok is a pressing concern for children’s exposure. Despite efforts to moderate the platform, explicit and harmful content continues to make its way onto the app. TikTok’s automated moderation system lacks precision, mistakenly removing beneficial content while allowing harmful material to slip through. User tactics such as algospeak further complicate content moderation, as users find ways to bypass algorithmic filters. Additionally, TikTok’s age-verification process relies on self-reported age, making it easy for underage users to access explicit content.
The presence of explicit content on TikTok raises concerns about the potential harm it can cause to young users. It promotes unhealthy attitudes towards sex, perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes, and desensitizes young boys to rape culture and toxic masculinity. This content also negatively impacts the self-perception of young women and queer youth by portraying unrealistic body standards.
While TikTok must make improvements to its content moderation system, it is ultimately up to parents and users to navigate the dangers online. TikTok offers a unique opportunity to spread educational content about sex, with doctors and gynecologists using hashtags to share important information about sexual health. By promoting dialogue and education, TikTok can help create a safer environment for its young users.
It is crucial for TikTok and regulators to address concerns about the accessibility of sexual content on the platform. Stricter moderation measures, clearer guidelines, and better age-verification processes are necessary to protect children from explicit and harmful content. By prioritizing user safety and wellbeing over user engagement, TikTok can play a more responsible role in shaping the online experiences of young users.
