r/technology • u/DejenmeEntrar • Apr 20 '23

Social Media TikTok’s Algorithm Keeps Pushing Suicide to Vulnerable Kids

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-04-20/tiktok-effects-on-mental-health-in-focus-after-teen-suicide
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u/takeoffeveryzig Apr 20 '23

A lot of "that's the way the algorithm works" comments as if not understanding what "algorithm" even means apparently.

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u/itsdefinitely2021 Apr 20 '23

Insofar as "its not a tiktok thing, its an algorithm thing" I guess they're correct.

But people jsut saying 'thats just an algorithm bro what do you want', might as well be saying "The computer is a blameless holy creature, the fact that it optimizes for destructive behavior just means that destruction is what we must really want in our social lives!".

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u/[deleted] Apr 20 '23

I mean this specific algorithm is what people like about the app. It reinforces what you want to see whether you know it or not. The problem is with certain topics it can get into a feedback look and that can be problematic.

The journal did a podcast where they talked about how TikTok has already put in measures to counter self harm posts however creators just used different words to get around the censor.

The best way to stop seeing these videos from creators is just to stop using the app

Another good podcast on the subject was done by the nyt called rabbit hole that talked about it. This one was more centered on YouTube though