OMG, like, TikTok is, like, totally changing the game for the 2024 U.S. presidential election! I mean, who even reads newspapers anymore, right? It’s all about those viral videos, and TikTok is where it’s at! But, like, it’s not all cute dances and funny filters—there’s some major drama, and not the good kind.
TikTok Drama: Disinfo Gone Wild
So, like, according to Global Witness, TikTok is kinda slacking when it comes to stopping, like, totally fake info from spreading. And, like, that’s a HUGE problem because, hello, people are actually voting based on what they see! TikTok and Facebook both, like, let harmful disinfo run wild, while YouTube, of all places, is, like, doing a better job at controlling it. I know, right? Who knew?
One expert was, like, “OMG, TikTok letting all these false claims and conspiracy theories fly is super worrying.” Like, it could totally mess with how people vote! Yikes.
Campaigns on TikTok: The New Vibe
But, like, at the same time, TikTok is, like, THE place to be for candidates trying to get noticed. According to The New York Times, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are, like, totally leaning into the TikTok vibe. Trump’s team is all about showing off his rallies, while Harris is posting, like, relatable content about her day-to-day life. It’s all about being real, you know?
TikTok’s algorithm is, like, everything because it can push videos to millions of people SO fast. But, like, that’s kinda risky, too, because the content can be taken out of context or spread disinfo. Like, the struggle is real.
Is This a Trend or What?
So, like, experts are kinda split on whether TikTok is just, like, a trend or if it’s gonna be a permanent part of future elections. According to the German Marshall Fund, TikTok is, like, totally revolutionizing how campaigns connect with younger voters. One expert even said, “TikTok is literally changing the rules of political engagement.” I mean, candidates are, like, posting campaign ads AND having fun, creative convos with their followers. Like, how cool is that?
But, like, some people are worried that TikTok is too much fun and not serious enough. Rest of World was all like, yeah, there are “live battles” between influencers who are, like, representing different candidates, but, TBH, it’s more about entertainment than, like, actual debate.
Disinfo is, Like, Everywhere
So, even though TikTok is super fun, it’s also, like, kinda dangerous when it comes to spreading disinfo. Newsweek reported that there are SO many political videos, especially ones about Kamala Harris, that spread, like, totally false info, and people are, like, believing it before it gets taken down. Ugh, that’s so cringe.
And, like, the problem is that TikTok’s algorithm, like, LOVES dramatic content. It’s all about keeping people glued to their screens, so it might push more controversial stuff before anyone can fact-check it. One expert from the Globe and Mail was, like, “TikTok’s fast-paced format totally rewards sensationalism.” So, yeah, there’s that.
So, Like, What Happens Next?
As Election Day gets closer, everyone’s, like, freaking out about whether TikTok is good or bad for democracy. On one hand, it’s, like, THE place for candidates to reach younger voters in a fun way. But, on the other hand, it’s, like, sooo easy for disinfo to spread.
So, like, where does that leave us? TikTok is totally shaking things up, but will it help or hurt the election? Who knows! All I can say is that the 2024 election is gonna be so different, thanks to TikTok. The real question is, can we, like, trust what we see on our For You page? Stay tuned!
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
