TikTok, which has recently been criticized for its effects on young people’s mental health, is facing lawsuits filed by 14 different states… However, the famous social media platform has revealed the secret pressures of another technology giant, Apple, on TikTok.
Apple wanted TikTok to raise the age limit!
According to information received, Apple secretly pressured the platform to increase TikTok’s age recommendations from 12 to 17. This was revealed through documents accidentally made public in the lawsuit filed against TikTok in South Carolina. While the documents were planned to remain secret, they became public as a result of an error.
In 2022, Apple appointed a team to review TikTok’s age classification and found that the app frequently contained ‘extensive mature or suggestive content’. Thereupon, Apple asked TikTok to make changes in accordance with the App Store Guidelines.
It is stated that the leaked documents also mention TikTok’s own employees’ concerns about content control. It turned out that some employees did not find the company’s precautions sufficient, especially regarding abusive content and content related to eating disorders. For example, approximately 2 percent of pop-up notifications shown to young users in the US and UK over the course of a month were found to contain profanity.
Following these leaks, the TikTok front expressed their dissatisfaction with the process and the leaked information was made secret again. TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said that publishing such confidential information was ‘irresponsible’ and claimed that they had already reached an agreement with Apple.
We know that social media platforms strive to keep their users on the platform for as long as possible. TikTok, which thus generates unimaginable advertising revenues, is at the center of criticism because it is especially popular among young people.
So, what do you think about this? How do you evaluate the effects of social media platforms on young people? Don’t forget to share your comments with us!
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