MPs Urge Government to Combat Misinformation on TikTok: Adapt to New Platforms
A group of MPs in the UK has urged the government to create a strategy to combat misinformation on TikTok, despite the app being banned on the parliamentary estate due to concerns over its links to the Chinese state.
The MPs believe that the government needs to adapt to new platforms like TikTok, which are popular among young people, to effectively counter the spread of misinformation.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK Parliament urged ministers to engage with new news platforms like TikTok, as more young people are turning to social media for news instead of traditional sources.
TikTok is the main news source for one in ten 12-15 year-olds and 71% of 16-24 year-olds use social media for news.
The committee's report also suggested increasing the use of "trusted voices" such as scientists and doctors to counteract misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media.
TikTok has been banned from official electronic devices and the UK Parliament's network.
The report highlights the growing influence of new apps, such as TikTok, among young people, leading to a shift in audience habits and a fragmented information landscape.
The government is urged to develop a strategy for communicating with this demographic and adapting to emerging apps and platforms.