Coming into right relationship with Tiktok

You are an awake, heart-centered human right?

So what are your thoughts on Tiktok? Are you staying informed about the nature of these platforms? And does it feel "in alignment" to channel your time and energy into these technologies knowing their larger (and shadowier) impacts?

As leaders, wayshowers and light-workers, integrity and acting in alignment is always top priority. And to do that, sometimes we need to take our head out of the sand and take a long hard look at the truth of Tiktok and platforms like it, even when it's inconvenient.

This article is intended to help you do just that, and to encourage your own inquisition on the nature of these platforms and how you relate to them. We look at the ownership, privacy issues, geopolitical interference as well as the mental health, polarization and addictive nature of Tiktok and similair platforms.

 Whether Tiktok is an important part of your marketing strategy, you use it for fun, or you’ve been considering jumping on this social trend, here are some important considerations and potential red flags to consider, digest, and inform your relationship with Tiktok.

Tiktok, a ByteDance company (who owns Tiktok anyway?)

TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps worldwide, with over 1 billion active users. However, the app's explosive growth has raised serious issues on TikTok privacy concerns, the persuasive nature of the technology, and how it influences social media confirmation bias creating a distorted reality that has significant impacts socially, culturally and economically.

One of the primary concerns related to TikTok is the app's ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese tech company. This has raised questions about the Chinese government's potential access to users' data, which could be used for surveillance or other nefarious purposes. It is Chinese law that corporations must disclose information to the government. Although your individual affairs may not be of interest to government departments you can see the major implications on a larger scale.

The nature of reality and Tiktok

Additionally, TikTok has been at the center of several geopolitical conflicts, with the app being used to spread propaganda and disinformation during the 2022 Ukraine-Russia war and the 2020 US presidential election. In March 2022, Tiktok made all non-Russian content unavailable to Russian users by essentially creating a new version of the app for Russian users, removing them from the global perspective and supporting Russian pro-war propaganda on the feeds.

What if your country had the same censorship? You may think it's far fetched however Canada is moving in this direction after implementing bill C-18 which will enable the government to control which content receives algorithmic priority, and which channels are able to broadcast "news". Postured as a strategy to minimize "fake news" and support the financial viability of mainstream media, many are concerned this bill will inherently give power to narratives and news stories that favour government interests. Only this week Meta announced it would end news content on Canadian platforms if the C-18 bill moves towards a commercialization model for news sources on Canadian social media platforms.

You can see how what becomes "news" on social media that informs the reality of entire countries can be swayed heavily by interest groups. How does this play into your perception of reality?

Viral Content is creating a polarized planet

Trusting the content on platforms like Tiktok is one thing, holding it as ultimate truth is another. The viral nature of Tiktok and similar platforms means polarizing, divisive and often confronting videos get the most visibility. In some countries, with fewer restrictions videos of violence, pornography and even be-headings become the most trending posts. Due to the nature of algorithms these can be easily discovered by those base on post popularity and not interest-based like Instagram for example.

The app's algorithms are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible, often resulting in mindless scrolling and a depletion of our attention span. This can have negative consequences on our ability to focus and concentrate, as well as our mental health. Additionally, TikTok's use of persuasive technology, which includes tactics such as attention mining, contributes to social media confirmation bias. This phenomenon occurs when users only see content that confirms their existing beliefs, leading to the reinforcement of those beliefs and a lack of exposure to alternative viewpoints.

Tiktok and our sanity

In addition to privacy and technology ethics, TikTok has also been criticized for its impact on mental health. The app's emphasis on short-form, visually appealing content can contribute to the development of body image issues and the promotion of unrealistic beauty standards. Moreover, TikTok's algorithm may also contribute to a culture of toxic competition and comparison, as users are encouraged to create and share content that will receive the most engagement and likes.

There is some light

Despite these concerns, TikTok has also been praised for its ability to democratize content creation and provide a platform for marginalized voices. The app has been used to spread important messages about social justice issues, including racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness. Additionally, TikTok has provided a platform for creators to build communities and connect with others who share their interests and passions, and has helped millions of creators and entrepreneurs create a non-traditional income to support their passions.

Personal reflection 

So where do you stand? Knowing the nature of these platforms and their impact on the Collective, how do you choose to use and relate to Tiktok?

How can you use Tiktok and similiar platforms to support the world you want to see?

How can you stay sane/ grounded when engaging in these platforms?

What healthy boundaries can you set to ensure you remain sovereign in your energy and more present in your life?

When we become aware of our own habits and patterns around these platforms, and then explore how they are impacting humans on a global scale it becomes important to act from a place of alignment.

What is the world you desire to co-create? How do you want to leave this planet for the generations to come? What can you do today to orient yourself and your business to re-orient to a more harmonious, humane & equitable planet? What does this have to do with Tiktok?

Leave your reflections in the comments...

References:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-addressing-the-tiktok-threat/id1460030305?i=1000578805091

https://tracking.exposed/pdf/tiktok-russia-15march2022.pdf

https://openmedia.org/article/item/whats-wrong-with-bill-c-11-an-faq

https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-end-news-access-canadians-if-online-news-act-becomes-law-2023-03-11/