[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's TikTok.

I'm not joking; it's the TikTok algorithm... it's a social disaster/minefield.

Basically TikTok has very sophisticated algorithms that detect if you linger for even a second on a certain type of video, and then it serves you more and more of that content. And because TikTok is based around going viral... people assume that if they're seeing a lot of the same rhetoric on there, "that's what everyone thinks/feels".

I am obviously very critical or "MRA" rhetoric (a very close cousin of incel). Because I'm critical of it, I had a tendency to linger on/watch those videos to see what nonense "MRA guru" type people were spouting... within a week I was getting MRA/incel videos more frequently... within two weeks I was getting very little BUT those sorts of videos.

Imagine that's a teenager. Suddenly being served a load of absolute horse**** but from people who are well-practiced and sound like they know what they're talking about. Who use arguments and point to psychology concepts that seem hard to argue with unless you know what you're seeing. Who think it's a huge issue and what everyone is thinking about becuase it's constantly on their feed - not realising that if you make a conscious effort to skip those videos as soon as they start,TikTok gets the message and within another two weeks you're back to seeing silly slapstick and videos of cats speaking.

I genuinely think young minds are being flooded with this **** at the moment, almost entirely thanks to TikTok. YouTube does very similar to be honest... you watch one MRA video, your home page is going to suggest 5 more. But the effect isn't quite as concentrated.

Bloody algorithms.
My lil brother and I share a YouTube account (he borrowed it when he wasn't able to get one, neither of us bothered to make a separate one) and he floods my recs with "Angry Reviewers" and gamers, when I only really use it for music and old sitcoms. But because he uses it more, and I guess that stuff is more "algo friendly" I never really see my stuff in the suggestions
But I guess it's good I know he's not watching anything dangerous

But yeah, social media is responsible for a lot of toxic behaviour on all "sides". The world would be a better place without it.