Concerns among parents are growing as AI-generated influencers gain traction on popular social media platforms. 

TikTok, an app popular among young users, has sparked new criticism, with over 12,000 parents urging the platform to address the potential harm caused by AI-generated content creators (via NBC News).

TikTok AI Influencers Promoting Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Parents are specifically worried about the promotion of unrealistic beauty standards to children and teenagers, as these AI-generated influencers showcase flawlessly perfected faces and bodies. 

A recent online petition, spearheaded by the nonprofit ParentsTogether, calls on TikTok to take more decisive action in labeling AI-generated influencers who closely resemble real people.

The petition highlights the increasing prevalence of AI-generated "influencers" on TikTok, fueled by the explosive growth of generative AI technology. 

While virtual influencers have been a part of the social media landscape for years, the recent advancements in AI have blurred the lines between reality and artificial content, making it challenging for users, especially children, to distinguish between the two.

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TikTok's Response

TikTok responded to the concerns by pointing out that since early last year, the platform has required creators to label all realistic AI-generated content. 

However, NBC News reports that ParentsTogether campaign director Shelby Knox argues this is insufficient. According to Knox, these videos often remain unlabeled, and viewers may only discover they are watching AI content creators if they delve into the creator's profile.

Despite TikTok's assertion that it has removed three accounts flagged by ParentsTogether, the crux of the issue lies in the inconsistency and lack of visibility in labeling AI-generated content. 

The platform relies on the companies creating these accounts to label them as AI, but with significant financial incentives at stake, many companies fail to do so, leaving young users unaware that the influencers they aspire to emulate aren't real people.

"I'm not sure that your average kid knows that a virtual influencer is industry speak for, 'This person isn't real,'" says Knox. "Because these companies are making money on TikTok's platform and it is contributing to a dangerous culture, our view is that TikTok has a responsibility to come in and figure out how to consistently and visibly label these accounts and these videos."

Alarming Numbers

While recognizing the creativity that AI can unlock, TikTok acknowledges the potential risks when the use of AI is not transparent. 

The platform emphasizes its proactive stance in building safety efforts to protect viewers while empowering creativity. TikTok explicitly prohibits content that promotes disordered eating or any dangerous weight loss behaviors.

The ParentsTogether petition underlines the broader impact of social media on adolescents' body image. Almost half of teenagers aged 13-17 surveyed in the petition claim that social media makes them feel worse about their body image. 

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