A report has found out that TikTok search results can include misinformation. To be more specific, 20% of the answers that TikTok shows are actually misinformation.

Social Media has Become Another Way for People to Search for Answers Aside from Using a Search Engine

TikTok is a social media that can be looked at as a source of entertainment. When it comes to finding out answers to certain things like scientific questions, however, the percentage of misinformation can be considered quite high.

While search engines are still recommended when trying to look for reliable information on very important topics, social media has started to become a popular way for users to search for answers. Although not always accurate, social media allows users to consume answers in a way or template that they are more used to whether it be in video, images, or others.

Young People are Using TikTok as a 'Substitute Search Engine' for Important Topics

According to the story by Mashable, young people are now looking at TikTok as what they describe as a "substitute search engine" to look for answers to certain questions. Although typically this is fine in certain aspects like searching for a fried chicken recipe, this could be problematic when it comes to serious topics.

Research by NewsGuard has been able to find just that and as per the article, it says that social media contains a "concerning volume of misinformation about serious topics." It was noted that the fact checking org was able to find that almost 20% of videos that surfaced were actually misinformation.

Study Found that Around 20% of the Videos were Actually Misinformation

The research involved checking out 540 different TikTok videos as part of the investigation. Out of the over half a thousand videos that were analyzed, it was found that 105 of them actually contained "false or misleading claims."

NewsGuard noted that this included certain topics including Russia and Ukraine all the way to COVID vaccines. The researchers noted that "TikTok's users are consistently fed false and misleading claims."

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A TikTok Spokesperson Ensured that the Social Media App is Doing Its Best to Filter Out Content

Mashable decided to do their own investigation into the matter in order to find out just how many videos or percentage of videos on TikTok were actually misinformation. They decided to do their own test and received a statement from a TikTok spokesperson.

As per the spokesperson, it was noted that their Community Guidelines make it clear that the company does not allow harmful misinformation. This included medical misinformation and in response to the findings of misinformation, the spokesperson said that they will remove the content from the platform.

The spokesperson also noted that they partner with credible voices in order to elevate certain authoritative content on certain topics which include public health. They also noted that they are partnering with independent fact-checkers to help them assess the accuracy of different content on their platform.

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Written by Urian B.