If Snapchat can grow out of its sexting app reputation with policy changes, so can TikTok
Responsibility in video sharing apps like TikTok and Snapchat is placed at two levels – a personal level where the user is vigilant of the video he or she is uploading, and the company level, where the platform has to be vigilant about videos being uploaded.
Personal vigilantism about whether or not the videos uploaded by you can be vulnerable to pornography comes only with awareness. This realisation comes about if parents, schools and social groups are pro-active and alert children early in life about the risky side of the internet. An aware child or adult is always less likely to fall prey.
Accountability is another form of making TikTok responsible for its content. AI detecting content of pornographic nature can also help.
While it may seem like TikTok’s user interface is aiding users to upload pornographic content, let us not forget that these negative aspects of video apps don’t last long and the key to this lies in the development of the app over time. One prime example of this is Snapchat that initially was notorious for allowing people to send nudes, but soon grew out of that phase and with stricter privacy policies. Its editorial regulation on its ‘Discover’ channels requires publishers to not post nude or semi-nude photos. TikTok may dodge this form of policy adjustment for now, but it will eventually have to be held responsible as it grows globally.
Too early to hold TikTok responsible for spread of pornography in India
The Madras High Court has asked the Centre to ban the TikTok app for spreading pornography. But it will too early to hold TikTok responsible for the spread of pornography in India. Pornsites like PornHub, X-Videos rule the market of pornographic content. In fact, PornHub’s survey once revealed that India was among its biggest users.
Further, vulgar videos shot on mobile phones are also in demand and so are the terrifying ‘rape videos’. Voyeurism has increased after small cameras and cheap mobile phones have occupied the market.
TikTok looks feeble in comparison to these formidable websites and applications. Rather than pornography, TikTok serves the purpose of having fun in your own body and voice, wherever you are. Yes, if there is a camera and internet on the phone, there is a possibility of pornographic content being generated. Still, it will be too early to hold TikTok responsible for all of it.
Most importantly, why fear pornography? The government can encourage healthy discussion and dissemination of knowledge about sex through these apps.
Such moves undermine people’s right to create and operate legitimate business enterprises
As technology has evolved, the collective IQ of our society has degenerated. Nothing exemplifies it better than TikTok (and maybe the selfie-obsessed youth present everywhere).