TikTok must face a lawsuit for recommending the viral ‘blackout challenge’
www.theverge.com
It’s a significant data point on the potential limits of Section 230.

TikTok has to face a lawsuit from the mother of 10-year-old Nylah Anderson, who “unintentionally hanged herself” after watching videos of the so-called blackout challenge on her algorithmically curated For You Page (FYP). The “challenge,” according to the suit, encouraged viewers to “choke themselves until passing out.”

TikTok’s algorithmic recommendations on the FYP constitute the platform’s own speech, according to the Third Circuit court of appeals. That means it’s something TikTok can be held accountable for in court. Tech platforms are typically protected by a legal shield known as Section 230, which prevents them from being sued over their users’ posts, and a lower court had initially dismissed the suit on those grounds.

  •  DdCno1   ( @DdCno1@beehaw.org ) 
    17•16 days ago

    Educating your kid about the many possible pitfalls of social media is even more important. They will eventually experience it, are likely already to some degree through their friends’ devices exposed to it. Don’t make the mistake of turning social media into some kind of forbidden fruit, but instead provide them with the tools to deal with it responsibly.

    That said, I would still not allow this Chinese psy-ops tool on any device in my household. Other social media is already terrible enough, but TikTok seems to be engineered to cause nothing but damage.

    •  BCsven   ( @BCsven@lemmy.ca ) 
      7•16 days ago

      I know some amazing parents that have super open communication and excellent teaching moments with their kids, they still fell into the social media morass…because friends (and teenage brain) are a heavy influence even with a safe supportive home

      •  LukeZaz   ( @LukeZaz@beehaw.org ) English
        2•15 days ago

        This is why I think monitored access is a better idea than total withholding. Kids are going to end up on social media; either as they grow up and eventually become adults, or as a result of peer providing access & pressure. Best to let them on, but ensure they are safe, know how to be safe, and know why to be safe.

        •  BCsven   ( @BCsven@lemmy.ca ) 
          1•15 days ago

          Right, but i was commenting about educating your kids about the pitfalls of social media, like you said. My adult children are teachers and they see social media is destroying kids even with education about it…their brains can’t stop even if they know the consequences, especially because it is psychologically tailored to engage them more and more

    •  DeltaTangoLima   ( @DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com ) English
      6•15 days ago

      My own belief is that all social media is a cancer, and to be avoided entirely. I’m able to do that for myself, but I’m also realistic about the chances of keeping my kids away from it. So, I focus my energy on trying to equip them with the mental skills to neutralise the toxic aspects of social media.

      For my 9yo, that means teaching her to employ natural skepticism and critical thinking. I’m also trying to drum into her the understanding that social media is inherently untrustworthy and unreliable, and exists solely for the benefit of the corporations that run it.

      That said, I’ve blocked Tik Tok on my home network, much to the older kids’ chagrin. They have to use mobile data if they want to access that shit on their phones.