Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
TikTok influences the political opinions and engagement of nearly half of those aged 18-29 in the United States. We all rely on our phones; on average, people spend four hours and 37 minutes on their phones each day. They’re faced with political content as they scroll, and when this comes from someone we trust, it’s easy to believe — even if it’s not entirely true.
Scrolling on TikTok for hours each day has become normalized because people use it as an “all-inclusive” app. You get your brain rot, cooking videos, news, celebrity updates and cleaning hacks all in one place. Sure, it’s universally convenient, but if you substitute real news sources for TikTok, you set yourself up for failure.
Let’s say a year ago you had seven different dinners you would rotate throughout the week: spaghetti and meatballs, steak and potatoes, tomato soup and grilled cheese, a garden salad, beef stew, tacos and chicken stir fry. As time progressed, you found yourself only eating spaghetti and meatballs, a garden salad, beef stew and tacos. Then, a few months later, it’s only spaghetti and meatballs and tacos. Then, before you know it, you’re eating spaghetti and meatballs every night for dinner.
You feel content because it seems like you get enough protein and nutrients. Why would you explore different meals? But the reality is that you have created major health issues for yourself.
Now, apply this analogy to consuming news. If your primary news source is TikTok, you are not feeding your brain with enough perspectives. TikTok is run by influencers. Even though they likely have no background in political science, journalism or public policy, influencers share political commentary. If an influencer leans heavily left or right, they do their best to guide their followers that same way, like a lighthouse guiding a lost ship.
Additionally, sometimes when an influencer uploads a post including politics, they care more about views and likes than the actual message. Because their means of income rely on high levels of attention, relevance and brand deals, they post whatever gets them views. This results in massive amounts of simplified content.
If you regularly listen to these influencers, you will likely never form your own political opinions. You will never explore the different perspectives that come with the political mind. The thing with TikTok is that it is a free space — you can share whatever you please. This can be a great tool, but you must be careful of how you use it.
This is why exploring multiple news outlets is crucial. In order to be successful and develop your own grasp of what happens in the world, you must be well-researched.
Sure, TikTok can increase political engagement among young people, but does that matter if they swallow the information hook, line and sinker? If you’re not doing your own research through multiple sources, then you might as well be a babe in the woods.
All it takes is to browse different websites: CNN, BBC, FOX, The New York Times, C-SPAN. Whatever it is, explore them all and figure out which you like the most. Check them whenever you can. The digital world makes it easy with newsletters, notifications and emails, but you have to care enough to pay attention.
It’s important to recognize that traditional news outlets aren’t exactly perfect, either. They have their own biases, but they are still generally more accountable than individual influencers.
Don’t just scroll TikTok and let people feed you their Kool-Aid like a sheep. That leaves you vulnerable to being misled. If you’re unwilling to move away from consuming political content on TikTok, make an effort to receive the information from a reliable source and follow these news outlets on social media.
If you wouldn’t eat spaghetti and meatballs every night, you shouldn’t let TikTok be the only meal in your political diet.
Reach Charlotte Seymour at letters@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.
