UK Tiktok strategy is needed to combat misinformation
Government needs a Tiktok strategy to help combat misinformation directed at young people, MPS have said.
Members of the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee said the Government needed to adapt to new apps and platforms that appeal to young people who are increasingly turning away from traditional sources of news.
The recommendation is part of a wider report published on Friday that calls for more use of “trusted voices” such as scientists and doctors to communicate important information and combat conspiracy theories and other misinformation spreading on social media.
Data from Ofcom said one in 10 people aged between 12 and 15 cited Tiktok as their main source of news, while 71 per cent of 16-24-year-olds use social media instead of or in addition to news websites.
A spokesperson from Tiktok said they welcomed the recthe ommendation that the Government should engage with the public on whatever social media platform they choose.
The committee said: “The recent growth of Tiktok and decisions to disengage from or potentially ban the platform demonstrates how swiftly sourcesofinformationchange. New apps and platforms rapidly become major players, shifting audience habits but also fragmenting the sources the public use for information.
“The Government must have a clear strategy for communicating with young people and adapting to the development of new apps and platforms which appeal to this audience.”
During the course of its inquiry, the committee heard from BBC disinformation editor Rebecca Skippage, who said broadcasters needed to learn from “the disinformation merchants because they are extremely good at getting people's attention”.
Tiktok has become a cause for concern for the Government over recent years, with security concerns leading to the app being banned from official electronic devices and the UK Parliament’s network, although some Whitehall departments continue to use it.
Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “There are lessons to be learnt from the pandemic where scientists played a critical role in communications.thegovernment is missing a trick in not giving them a larger public role in the battle to counter misinformation.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Once implemented, the Online Safety Act will help tackle the root cause of disinformation by requiring social media platforms to swiftly remove illegal misinformation and disinformation as soon as they become aware.”
Tiktok said: “Millions of people come to Tiktok to be entertained and informed, so we take down harmful misinformation, provide authoritative content through initiatives like election centres and our new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths feed and also run media literacy campaigns to help our community tell fact from fiction.”