TikTok launches Youth Council to advise on safety issues surrounding teens،
TikTok, the beloved (and sometimes controversial) short-form video app, is caught in the political crossfire. Facing a possible US ban over Chinese ownership concerns, TikTok is scrambling to defend its place in the hearts of its most loyal users – teenagers.
One of TikTok's latest initiatives is the creation of a “Youth Council”. This group of 15 teenagers from around the world will advise TikTok on how to make the platform safer for young people. It's a smart play as concerns revolve around issues such as child protection, misinformation and the app's impact on mental health.
The advice appears to be a well-intentioned way for TikTok to demonstrate its commitment to the safety of its young users. The teens even collaborate with Praesidio Safeguarding, a UK-based organization focused on online safety. But is this enough to influence regulators?
The influence of TikTok on teenagers is undeniable. The app even encouraged its teenage audience to take political action against a possible ban. Some worry that these efforts, while focused on the app's survival, will draw even more attention to TikTok's reach among young people.
Can the TikTok Youth Council make a difference?
The success of this initiative will likely depend on a few factors:
- Real Impact: What real power will the Youth Council have to influence changes to the application?
- Teen Trust: Will teens see counseling as a genuine attempt at improvement or as a public relations ploy?
- Political Influence: Will U.S. policymakers view this advice and its efforts as an honest commitment to user safety?
TikTok is playing a high-stakes game here. Appealing to its teenage users makes strategic sense, but whether it can save TikTok from political pressure remains to be seen. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the Youth Council will depend on the influence it has within the company and how it is perceived by adolescents and policy makers.
