The Rise of TikTok: Media, Politics, and Watchdog Responsibilities

One of the most significant stains in media and political history can be found within the realm of TikTok. No media or political platform has remained unscathed – Mark Zuckerberg has become a regular presence in congressional testimonies, and Elon Musk, as the owner of Twitter, embodies one of the most detested figures in what was once known as the public space. I cannot recall a time when journalists and publishers had to answer to politicians to such an extent. However, our criteria for social networks differ entirely. Today, social media networks have become mainstream media, and it is our duty to act as watchdogs.

The slogan "the media listens to its users" does not hold the same meaning when applied to social media platforms that also cater to the needs of their users. In fact, I'd say they're doing it too well, especially TikTok, which has experienced a significant surge in popularity, particularly during the pandemic. While it was anticipated that short video content would thrive on mobile devices, the extent of its dominance, marketing potential, and usage time far exceeded expectations.

In the era of personal media diet, we create the kind of information we want to consume. Individuals can exclusively engage with dog-related content on social media and receive recommendations for similar pet dog content and related products. This desire, which we now call "information isolation," is often associated with a media bubble. However, research shows that this bubble is not as isolated as commonly believed, although anomalies such as spam and fake content exist, which we tend to overlook.