In recent years, TikTok has become a favored platform for millions of users. From a purely entertainment platform, TikTok has turned into a “feast” of colorful videos filled with creativity, humor, and inspiration. However, recently, this “feast” has been “tainted” by a wave of vulgar and obscene content. What’s more concerning is that these videos not only exist but are also pushed into trends by the platform’s algorithm, leaving users, especially parents and young people, feeling disheartened and helpless.
The “Vulgar Feast” and “Unacceptable” Videos
Vulgar videos appearing on TikTok are not a new phenomenon, but their level and frequency are becoming increasingly alarming. These videos are often uploaded by a segment of young TikTokers who disregard all societal and ethical standards to attract attention. The content typically revolves around cheap “click-bait” tricks: overly suggestive dance moves, inappropriate revealing outfits, and even videos with pornographic and vulgar content.
Users who accidentally scroll through the channels of these TikTokers will face a barrage of shocking images and words, leaving them feeling uncomfortable and outraged. These videos lack educational value, provide no wholesome entertainment, and are merely a race to see who can be more vulgar to attract views.
The “Greed” of Creators and the “Helplessness” of the Community
These TikTokers, in pursuit of fame and profit, do not hesitate to use “dirty” methods. They believe that in a fiercely competitive environment, the fastest way to gain fame is to create a difference, and that difference is built on being obscene. The more shocking and criticized their videos are, the more they are discussed, and this inadvertently becomes a measure of success. Take, for instance, the young man – the main subject in the clip below. He openly posted an extremely sensitive video, “challenging” the platform’s mechanisms and the wholesome direction that internet users are aiming for.
Here, what makes the community most disheartened is not the behavior of those TikTokers, but the platform’s complicity. Many users have expressed their helplessness when encountering these vulgar videos on the page “Hey, is TikTok chaotic now?” – a place where TikTok’s algorithm suggests content. This raises a significant question: does TikTok’s algorithm disregard content, and is the moderation team working effectively?
Although the vulgar video has now been removed, it previously existed on the platform for several days. This not only causes discomfort for viewers but also has a negative impact on children and teenagers. When they see that obscene content is being viewed and widely circulated, they may misunderstand that this is a way to gain fame.
Optimizing the algorithm to prioritize safety and content quality instead of just chasing interaction is essential. The platform needs to invest more in the moderation team and AI tools to prevent obscene content from appearing in the first place. Only then can TikTok regain its position as a wholesome and positive entertainment environment for everyone.