Tikok as a source of danger: children in the radicalization trap?

Tikok as a source of danger: children in the radicalization trap?

radical ideologies are increasingly finding their way to social media, especially on the Tikok platform. Investigative journalist Clemens Neuhold warns in his new book and in a conversation with Krone.tv of the dangers that come from this app. It describes the content that is distributed there as poisonous for the "brain of the children". The need for measures to contain this content is considered urgent, since the use of Tiktok increases rapidly among younger people and is an attractive target group for radical actors. Krone reports that Tikkok has become a focal point for the spread of extremist ideologies.

The fact that 54% of 12 to 19-year-old TikTok regularly use is particularly alarming. This high use ensures that right-wing extremist actors are trying to address children and adolescents by spreading content that transports international-national messages. An example of this shows a clip in which a well-trained man carries a slogan of the neo-Nazi scene, which illustrates the reach of such content among young users. According to ZDF , Tiktok is viewed as a suitable platform to recruit right-wing extremists.

The role of the Tikok algorithm

The Tikok algorithm promotes the spread of content that is interesting for the users. This also includes right -wing extremist videos, since users who are interested in certain topics can also receive suggestions for radical content. While the radicalization is considered to be limited by Tikkok itself, the first contact with extreme ideologies is common there. Right -wing extremist actors use this dynamic to provide links to unprotected communication channels, such as Telegram, via which deeper radicalization processes can be targeted.

Despite Tikok's guidelines against hate speech and the use of AI tools for content filtering, the danger is real: users must be able to identify problematic content in order to be able to report them. Experts therefore recommend that parents and legal guardians should actively talk to children and adolescents about the content on Tiktok in order to promote responsible use of the platform.

extremism on the Internet

The challenge that emanates from extremist content on social media is also complicated by the diverse appearance of extremism on the Internet. Political and religious extremists specifically use the media behavior of children and adolescents. Messages are often spread in the form of entertainment or even satire, which increases the risk that such content is perceived as unproblematic. According to Youth and Media , these extremist messages contradict the fundamental values of a democratic society.

Extremist ideologies tend to share the world into friends and enemy and to stir up resentments against others. The distinction between "cognitive extremists" and violent extremists is also important. The first do not necessarily require the use of violence, but are socially contradictory, while the latter propagate or justify violence.

Overall, the situation is alarming, and it is urgently needed to use platforms like Tikok more consciously to protect the next generation from the dangers of extremist ideologies.