California; Hayward — During the preceding summer, TikTok articulated its intention to establish a "youth council" comprising teenagers to furnish counsel to the company, as part of a comprehensive initiative to enhance safety features tailored for the app's youngest demographic. Engadget reports this council has been formalized, with engagements already underway with the company's CEO, Shou Chew, as disclosed by TikTok.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of TikTok's strenuous opposition to a legislative bill compelling its parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app or confront prohibition within the United States. In its resistance, TikTok has sought to rally its predominantly teenage user base against the impending measure. Notably, critics of TikTok frequently cite concerns regarding youth safety as a primary peril associated with the app.
The efficacy of the newly established youth council in mitigating such apprehensions remains uncertain. However, TikTok asserts that the council has already exerted influence on an upcoming media literacy campaign in the US, which will concentrate on themes such as misinformation and AI-generated content. Composed of 15 teens from various regions including the U.S., the UK, Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Morocco, the council has also provided input on the development of TikTok's "youth portal" feature, furnishing in-app resources pertinent to privacy and security.
TikTok elucidates that the council's primary purpose is to offer guidance on safety policies and issues predominantly impacting teenagers. Additionally, the council collaborates with the UK-based online safety organization Praesidio Safeguarding, which facilitated the selection process for teenage members. Notably, all council members receive compensation from TikTok. The company highlights CEO Shou Chew's attendance at the latest meeting held in February, during which the council pressed for greater transparency regarding the functioning of reporting and blocking mechanisms within the app.
Although the extent of the youth council's influence over TikTok's policies remains indeterminate, it underscores the pivotal role teenagers play within the platform's ecosystem. TikTok boasts a commanding presence among teenage users in the U.S., its largest market. Consequently, the company has mobilized this demographic to oppose the legislative bill threatening the app's existence, albeit with uncertain outcomes.
Noumaan Faiz, (he/him) is a journalist and entertainer from Hayward, CA who covers culture and entertainment.
Edited by Nykeya Woods