MPs Urge Government Action to Combat Misinformation on TikTok
MPs Call for Government Advice on Engaging with Young People, Including on TikTok
A group of MPs from the culture, media, and sport committee has urged the government to publish advice for its departments on effectively engaging with young people, including on platforms like TikTok. Despite TikTok being banned on government devices due to data security concerns, the committee emphasizes the need to communicate accurate information in a relatable manner.
The MPs stress the importance of countering misinformation online, especially among young people who increasingly rely on social media for information. With platforms like TikTok being popular among 15 to 24-year-olds, the committee advises the government to meet young people “where they are” and develop strategies for engaging with them on emerging apps and platforms.
Although TikTok is blocked on the Parliament Wi-Fi network, some MPs, including Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, continue to use the platform to connect with constituents. Despite concerns over TikTok’s links to the Chinese state, the platform has endorsed the committee’s recommendation for the government to engage with the public on their preferred platforms.
In response to the committee report, the government highlights its efforts to reach people directly on the platforms they use most frequently. It also cites the Online Safety Act, enacted last year, as a measure to address disinformation by requiring social media companies to remove illegal misinformation promptly.
However, the Online Safety Act faced criticism from fact-checking service Full Fact at the time of its implementation, which argued that it did not sufficiently address the treatment of harmful misinformation by social media platforms.
The committee’s report, based on evidence from over 60 individuals, including disinformation experts and journalists, underscores the ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and engage with young people effectively on digital platforms.
As Reported by BBC News