A cross-party committee recommends developing a strategy to engage with new platforms that appeal to the youth
MPs have emphasized the need for a government strategy on TikTok to address misinformation targeting young individuals. The cross-party culture, media, and sport committee highlighted that the government should adapt to emerging apps and platforms popular among youth, who are moving away from conventional news sources.
This recommendation is part of a broader report released on Friday, which advocates for increased utilization of “trusted voices,” such as scientists and doctors, to disseminate critical information and counter conspiracy theories and misinformation circulating on social media.
According to Ofcom data, TikTok is the primary news source for one in ten individuals aged 12 to 15. Additionally, 71% of 16- to 24-year-olds use social media as their main or supplementary source of news instead of traditional news websites.
A TikTok spokesperson expressed appreciation for the recommendation that the government should interact with the public on their preferred social media platform.
The committee noted, “The recent expansion of TikTok and actions to distance from or possibly prohibit the platform illustrate how rapidly information sources evolve.”
Emerging applications and platforms quickly gain prominence, altering audience behaviors and fragmenting the sources the public relies on for information.
“The government should develop a clear strategy for engaging with young individuals and adapting to the emergence of new applications and platforms that appeal to this demographic.”
During its investigation, the committee received input from BBC disinformation editor Rebecca Skippage, who emphasized the importance of broadcasters being active “in those (social media) spaces” and learning from “the disinformation merchants” due to their effectiveness in capturing people’s attention.
MPs also heard from consumer advocate Martin Lewis, who stated that he had begun using TikTok to counteract the “nonsense” propagated by other users of the platform.
Over recent years, TikTok has raised concerns for the government, leading to security worries and resulting in the app’s prohibition from official electronic devices and the UK parliament’s network.
Despite this, certain Whitehall departments, including those led by the defence secretary, Grant Shapps, still utilize TikTok. However, his spokesperson clarified that he does not use it on official devices.
Following the decision to ban TikTok from government devices, Shapps’s spokesperson expressed concern, stating, “He is worried that elected officials who consciously choose not to engage with the public on the platforms they actually use are unlikely to continue representing these voters for long.”
In addition to formulating a strategy to engage young individuals on their preferred platforms, the committee encouraged the government to leverage the expertise of the numerous experts in its employ. This recommendation is based on the contributions made by Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance during the Covid-19 pandemic.
They also urged the government to enhance transparency by publishing the evidence it relied on for policymaking, particularly in areas prone to misinformation, to enhance trust.
Committee chair Caroline Dinenage stated, “With the continued spread of misinformation on social media, it’s crucial that communities nationwide have access to precise and reliable information delivered in an open and relatable manner.”
Lessons can be gleaned from the pandemic, during which scientists played a vital role in communication. The government is overlooking an opportunity by not granting them a more prominent public role in combating misinformation.”
A government spokesperson stated, “We utilize various channels to directly reach individuals on the platforms they frequent the most. This includes digital and social media platform marketing, particularly those appealing to younger demographics.
“Once enacted, the Online Safety Act will also address the fundamental issue of disinformation by mandating social media platforms to promptly remove illegal misinformation and disinformation upon becoming aware of them.”
A TikTok spokesperson stated, “Millions of individuals use TikTok for entertainment and information, so we actively remove harmful misinformation. We provide authoritative content through initiatives like election centers and our new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics feed. Additionally, we conduct media literacy campaigns to assist our community in distinguishing fact from fiction.
“An increasing number of politicians and public entities are joining TikTok to provide users with trustworthy information about their campaigns, causes, and policies. Therefore, we appreciate the report’s suggestion that the government should engage with the public on their preferred platforms.”