The rise of both the app and its millions of users have seen it become a global sensation in recent years, remarkably fast. TikTok is especially popular among younger audiences who are more prone to being exposed to potential dangers and controversies. Everyone has seen that one video that manages to go viral and gain millions of views, likes, and shares. But some videos have become viral for all the wrong reasons. So, what are the biggest and most shocking TikTok scandals and controversies? Let’s explore.
Part 1: The Crimes
The first big TikTok controversy we need to discuss is that of the criminals. Over the years, law enforcement has used the app to track, identify and charge a range of people for a variety of crimes. This has included thefts, burglaries and even criminal damage across the UK and USA.
In one particular case, a Nevada man posted videos on TikTok of himself randomly trashing numerous buildings across Las Vegas. As a result, police were able to locate, arrest and charge him with multiple counts of criminal damage and destruction. This goes to show just how much power and influence a single video on TikTok can have.
Part 2: The Addictive Nature and Mental Health
The addictive nature of TikTok has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, all of which have suggested that it can be detrimental to the mental health of its users. This includes symptoms such as anxiety, low self-esteem, insomnia, and depression. Many psychologists and psychiatrists have warned about the dangers of over-use, especially among the younger generations.
The app itself has attempted to proactively tackle this issue by adding parental control options and setting a timer limit within the app – both of which can be set to control how much time users spend on the platform. However, it’s clear that this has not been enough to curb the potentially addictive side of the app.
Part 3: The Privacy Issues
Finally we come to the privacy issues that have dogged the app in recent years. Earlier in 2020, the National Information Technology Authority of India (NITA) declared that the app posed a threat to the country’s national security, and subsequently banned the app in the country all together.
In other countries, the app is still being used, but still under scrutiny for its access to data. TikTok itself has recently been fined for violating the European Union’s General Data Protection Rights. The app was found to have been collecting data from minors without parental consent and failing to inform users of how their data would be used. Many experts have warned of the risks posed of this type of data breach.
There’s no denying the success of TikTok, but in the wake of its success there have been numerous scandals and controversies. It has become a hotbed for criminals to commit their crimes, a platform filled with potential addiction and mental health concerns, and an app with huge amounts of privacy issues.
These huge issues have to be addressed in some way, and it is now more important than ever to make sure that users are aware of the potential dangers before using the app. It may just save users from becoming another statistic of a shocking TikTok scandal.