Conspiracy theories all have one thing in common, they’re usually not true. However, when a conspiracy theory gains traction through social media, the “real” facts are interrogated.
TikTok, a popular social media platform known for its short video format, has become a popular medium for conspiracy theorists. Most viewers like watching these types of videos to see how creative theorists can get when discussing topics like Princess Diana’s death or the sinking of the Titanic. As more viewers watch and share the video, the theory spreads to the home page where popular and personalized videos appear for each user. This can trigger a chain reaction, with conspiracy theorists gaining popularity, likes, and followers. To keep up with the demand for new content, TikTokers create multiple accounts to generate more theories and gain more followers.
Conspiracy theories can be harmful, as they spread false information to those who aren’t as educated. For example, if a conspiracy theory states that the Titanic never sank in the North Atlantic Ocean, a viewer that has never learned about the Titanic could one hundred percent believe this even though there is hard evidence pointing to the sinking of the ship. Even just by searching on the internet, “Titanic Ship Wreck,” you can clearly see the crash and the titanic sinking.
The New York Times observed that researchers and organizations studying the Titanic prioritize educating viewers through various social media platforms, except for TikTok. “TikTok is just the latest recycling bin for false narratives about the Titanic, which began circulating almost as soon as the ship had sunk,” says the New York Times article.
Likewise, if a student in science class is taught the clear fact that the Earth is round, hearing a theory on how the earth is flat may change their mind. The user @immortalzen7 on TikTok has over 100,000 followers, posts videos about how the earth is flat and providing multiple pictures of how we live on “flat land with a dome above us.”
The QAnon conspiracy basically states that the world is being run by Democratic politicians in Hollywood who are trying to take over the world. And it might sound like absolute madness to some people, but there are thousands of people who believe in the theory. Once this idea spreads to a parent who really believes in the theory, it can spread to their kids, then down to schools and now everyone believes in the theory.
TikTok has made attempts to prevent videos that spread misinformation by blocking QAnon hashtags related to conspiracy theories, but TikTok cannot stop every video that appears. While TikTok conspiracy theories can be entertaining and amusing for some, it’s important to recognize that they can also have negative consequences. These theories may cause laughter and amusement for certain individuals, but for others, they can be genuinely harmful and detrimental.
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/business/titanic-tiktok-misinformation.html
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/conspiracy-theories-tiktok-tythecrazyguy-1235013/
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53528400
TikTok, a popular social media platform known for its short video format, has become a popular medium for conspiracy theorists. Most viewers like watching these types of videos to see how creative theorists can get when discussing topics like Princess Diana’s death or the sinking of the Titanic. As more viewers watch and share the video, the theory spreads to the home page where popular and personalized videos appear for each user. This can trigger a chain reaction, with conspiracy theorists gaining popularity, likes, and followers. To keep up with the demand for new content, TikTokers create multiple accounts to generate more theories and gain more followers.
Conspiracy theories can be harmful, as they spread false information to those who aren’t as educated. For example, if a conspiracy theory states that the Titanic never sank in the North Atlantic Ocean, a viewer that has never learned about the Titanic could one hundred percent believe this even though there is hard evidence pointing to the sinking of the ship. Even just by searching on the internet, “Titanic Ship Wreck,” you can clearly see the crash and the titanic sinking.
The New York Times observed that researchers and organizations studying the Titanic prioritize educating viewers through various social media platforms, except for TikTok. “TikTok is just the latest recycling bin for false narratives about the Titanic, which began circulating almost as soon as the ship had sunk,” says the New York Times article.
Likewise, if a student in science class is taught the clear fact that the Earth is round, hearing a theory on how the earth is flat may change their mind. The user @immortalzen7 on TikTok has over 100,000 followers, posts videos about how the earth is flat and providing multiple pictures of how we live on “flat land with a dome above us.”
The QAnon conspiracy basically states that the world is being run by Democratic politicians in Hollywood who are trying to take over the world. And it might sound like absolute madness to some people, but there are thousands of people who believe in the theory. Once this idea spreads to a parent who really believes in the theory, it can spread to their kids, then down to schools and now everyone believes in the theory.
TikTok has made attempts to prevent videos that spread misinformation by blocking QAnon hashtags related to conspiracy theories, but TikTok cannot stop every video that appears. While TikTok conspiracy theories can be entertaining and amusing for some, it’s important to recognize that they can also have negative consequences. These theories may cause laughter and amusement for certain individuals, but for others, they can be genuinely harmful and detrimental.
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/business/titanic-tiktok-misinformation.html
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/conspiracy-theories-tiktok-tythecrazyguy-1235013/
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53528400
