TikTok suicide video: it’s time platforms collaborated to limit disturbing content
CONTENT WARNING: This opinion piece discusses suicide
Ariadna Matamoros-Fernández and D. Bondy Valdovinos Kaye argue that social media platforms need a coordinated approach to stop harmful material spreading.
A disturbing video purporting to show a suicide is reportedly doing the rounds on the popular short video app TikTok, reigniting debate about what social media platforms are doing to limit circulation of troubling material.
According to media reports, the video first showed up on Facebook in late August but has been re-uploaded and shared across Instagram and TikTok — reportedly sometimes cut with seemingly harmless content such as cat videos.
TikTok users have warned others to swipe away quickly if they see a video pop up showing a man with long hair and a beard.
