With the surge in popularity of TikTok, more and more people are turning to the app for news instead of traditional sources. However, as a communication researcher reveals, there are three crucial things to keep in mind when consuming news on TikTok. From understanding the difference between user-generated content and official news, to being wary of paid advertising and sponsored posts, these lessons on news literacy will help users navigate through the sea of clickbait and misinformation on the app.
SEVENTEEN's Wonwoo made a lasting impression at London Fashion Week with his impeccable fashion sense. But it was a playful remark from actress Jung Eun Chae that truly won over fans. A viral video capturing the rapper blushing at the mention of his fans' cheers has sparked a wave of admiration for his charming personality. Many on TikTok even went as far as predicting a potential future acting career for him.
Associate Professor of Communication Technology at the University of Connecticut, Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch, explains the importance of understanding the news content on social media, specifically on TikTok, where anyone can create content and the algorithm decides what we see. Oeldorf-Hirsch shares three crucial elements of news literacy that users should know when browsing TikTok, including recognizing what content counts as news, understanding how it reaches us, and knowing how to assess its credibility. With the rise in user-generated content on the app, it is essential to be aware of the distinction between news, opinion, and advertising in our feeds.
A TikTok user has shared a chilling experience of being on the same delayed flight as the father of a woman who died in the American Airlines crash in DC. In a video, he shares his experience and expresses his condolences for the victims and their families. The video serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic event and the impact it had on those who were connected to it in some way.
Le Monde, France's newspaper of record, has announced its decision to leave the controversial social media platform X, due to concerns over its founders' political alliances with US President Donald Trump. In an editorial, Le Monde's editor-in-chief Jérôme Fenoglio explains that the move is a response to "a global threat to free access to reliable information" posed by social media behemoths such as X and Meta. The newspaper, which boasts 11 million followers on its French language account, will now focus on fast-growing rival Bluesky and increase vigilance on other platforms like TikTok and Meta, following Mark Zuckerberg's "worrying statements."
US President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness for billionaire Elon Musk to buy the popular social media app TikTok, amidst concerns over its Chinese ownership and potential data misuse. The app, which has 170 million American users, was temporarily taken offline in anticipation of a law that would require it to be sold or banned. Trump has met with TikTok's owners and proposed the idea of splitting ownership with the US. However, free speech advocates oppose the ban and TikTok argues that its recommendations and data are stored and moderated in the US.
A TikTok user shared three helpful tips for saving money while traveling through an airport, including bringing a reusable water bottle to avoid overpriced airport water, using the latch under the aisle seat handlebar for easy access and avoiding currency exchange at the airport to get a better rate. These tips can help budget-conscious travelers avoid unnecessary expenses and make their airport experience more affordable.
As Donald Trump officially took office as the 47th President of the United States, his slate of executive orders gained attention for their controversial nature. From postponing a ban on popular social media app TikTok to cracking down on illegal immigration, Trump's first few hours as President set the tone for his promised "Golden America." Along with these bold moves, Trump's inauguration also saw his son Barron being praised for his involvement in Trump's election victory, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk facing backlash for an awkward salute that some compared to the "Heil Hitler" gesture.
After a tumultuous year filled with concerns about national security and Chinese ties, the social media app TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, was temporarily shut down when it disappeared from app stores and left millions of users unable to access the app on Saturday. Though the Trump administration's push for a sale of TikTok before the Sunday deadline, set to take place just before Joe Biden's presidency, has been unsuccessful, Trump has suggested a potential solution: a joint venture between TikTok and an American company, with the US owning 50% of the company. With a 90-day extension of the deadline potentially on the horizon, it appears that the fight over TikTok is far from over.
Major tech giants Apple and Google have made an announcement that TikTok and other apps by ByteDance will no longer be available for download in the US from January 19, 2025. This decision has created a frenzy among iPhone and Android users, who will now have to turn to other similar apps like Reels and YouTube Shorts. In addition to this, existing users also won't be able to access their accounts or receive any updates. However, this ban may also have implications for users traveling from non-US markets.