TikTok has been urged to strengthen its content moderation policies around suicide and eating disorder material by organizations such as the NSPCC and the Molly Rose Foundation.
The groups claimed that TikTok had not acted quickly enough after the publication of research suggesting that the app’s recommendation algorithm sends self-harm and eating disorder content to teens within minutes of them expressing interest in the topics.
In a letter to TikTok’s chief security officer, the organizations called on the app to take “significant steps” including: improving moderation of eating disorder and suicide content; work with experts to develop a “comprehensive” approach to removing harmful content; support users who may be struggling with eating disorders or suicidal thoughts; and regular reports on steps being taken to address those issues.
The signatories, more than two dozen organizations that also include the American Psychological Association and the US Eating Disorders Coalition, say TikTok has removed just seven of 56 coded eating disorder hashtags highlighted in research. published in December by the campaign group Center for Countering Digital. Hate. CCDH said there have been an additional 1.6 billion views to those hashtags since November of last year.
“Since the CCHR report was published in December 2022, it has chosen to deny the issue, deflect responsibility, and delay taking meaningful action,” the groups said in a letter to TikTok’s head of security, Eric Han.
In response to last year’s CCHR report, TikTok said the investigation, which used fake accounts that focused on videos about body image, eating disorders and mental health to test the responsiveness of the app’s recommendation algorithm , did not reflect viewing experience or habits. from its real life users.
The letter was unveiled the same week that TikTok, which has more than a billion users worldwide, said it would limit teens joining the app to one hour of usage per day. However, the restriction can be changed or removed in the app settings.
A TikTok spokesperson said many people struggling with or recovering from eating disorders used the app for support.
“Our community guidelines are clear that we do not allow the promotion, normalization, or glorification of eating disorders, and we have removed content mentioned in this report that violates these rules. We are open to feedback and scrutiny, and seek to engage constructively with partners who have experience with these complex issues, just as we do with NGOs in the US and UK,” the spokesperson said.
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In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted by calling 0800 068 4141 or by emailing [email protected]. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted by calling 116 123 or emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the Lifeline crisis support service is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org. You can contact the mental health charity Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or visiting mind.org.uk.
