We need to discourage young voters from getting their news from TikTok

[chuluma]

Candidates have become Presidents in some countries aided by viral misinformation in Tiktok. There is a new article about this today. Elections in the Phillipines and Colombia featured lies on Tiktok.
Democrats are not known for spreading fake news. Republicans and their Russian troll friends spend a considerable amount of time spreading fake news and will do so again in future elections.

TikTok is wildly popular among very young potential voters. They need to be aware that TikTok is only good for dance videos and funny stuff, among other non-political matters.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/14/business/media/on-tiktok-election-misinformation.html

[RKP5637]

1. I've read similar, apparently there are some pretty vile political lies on TikTok. Yes, I believe

in free speech ... however, with the internet and powerful communication tools today, free speech has become weaponized. OK, I don't know the solutions here, except to say I feel there will eventually be disastrous consequences. Before I get a bunch of posts, yes, I believe in free speech.

[stopdiggin]

6. you're not the only one wrestling

with the dilemma. And it is a monumental one. Don't have any answers here either. (other than I don't think the answer is to get down in the mud and filth - and start lying as prolifically and effectively as our opponents)

Education? Young people are also open to a 'positive' message. If they are exposed to it - and it comes to them from a source they can relate to.

[PatSeg]

2. Thanks for posting

I have a NYT's subscription, but I missed that article.

Welcome to DU!

[BlueGreenLady]

3. We cannot shut Pandora's box I'm afraid.

The best option is for Democrats to use Tic Toc to get out our message.

[think4yourself]

4. Yes.

Gen-Z is very savvy and Tik Tok is not going anywhere.

[stopdiggin]

8. +1

I have some reservations - particularly around the studies that seem to show that lies routinely proliferate faster than the truth - but my reservations mean nothing when stacked up against reality. The genie is out of the bottle. Deal with it. (and learn to use it)

[Autumn]

5. TikTok is here to stay. Young people use it a lot and it's up to the Dems to use it to

get their message out. I have been using it for a couple months now, I enjoy it. It's all what you make it.

[superpatriotman]

7. This is the correct answer

Flood the platform with truth.

[PortTack]

9. Yes it is..there is as they say the right side and the wrong side of TikTok and there are many many

Young democratic organizers doing good things- enthusiastic, engaged, putting the word out there.

What has the NYT done beside bash President Biden and promote the orange mass via habberman? Talk about disinformation!!

[chuluma]

13. The New York Times doesn't fake videos that go viral

As in the cases cited in the link.

and I haven't seen the Paul Krugman version of TikTok.

[PortTack]

14. No the NYT does other shit that is far worse. They sic they opinion ppl on President Biden and the

Dems. And habberman the trump sycophant she is the worst!

Dems talk about needing to reach the youth vote, which pushed President Biden’s numbers way up in ‘20, so you have to go where they are and the NYT is not how to reach them. All social media, news papers too have good and bad. You find lots of very high profile Dems and other well known voices reaching out to the youth on TikTok

Besides all the average ppl on the platform you’ll find..to name just a few
Barack Obama
Meryl Streep
Oprah
Hundreds of dem congress ppl, some senators
Hundreds of dem hopefuls running for various seats
chef Jose Andres
President Zelensky and many of his cabinet
Mandy Patinkin
Texas Paul you see quoted here a lot..it’s where he got his start
Beto Orourke
Anonymous
Hundreds of veteran patriots speaking out against trump and the gqp

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. You have to refute it fast, there on Tiktok

There are four important elements to counterpropaganda. They are outlined in this section:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpropaganda#Elements_of_counterpropaganda

Truthful
Clear
Quick response
Targeted to the original audience

[niyad]

11. Welcome to our DU family.

[chuluma]

12. Thanks

😃