(This post is referring to tiktok, instagram reels, youtube shorts type content)

So it’s no secret that for half a decade now we’ve had short form video content get increasingly popularised. To the point where your uncle probably watches them on some platform and so does your 6 year old.

Now in terms of addictiveness, privacy falling through the roof, advertising down your throat, etc. we’ve reached new records. But that isn’t what this post is about.

I never used this format much, except in 2020 during the pandemic, but I can’t help but notice when I do. Even if I make a brand new VPN’d account for it. Every 5-10th post or so wil be some kind of culture war propaganda.

The kind of stuff that made me an edgy right wing bigot as a teenager because I got influenced by it on youtube. Luckily, I grew and changed. Unfortunately, many former friends, not so much.

On a completely new account you’ll get bombarded with videos like:

  • “This is why women NEED real MEN”
  • “How to piss of a cyclist”
  • ”If a climate activist is blocking the road, you should be allowed to run over them”
  • ”When MEN were thrown a grenade, they reacted quickly, WOMEN got confused and scared. That’s why we NEED men in the army”
  • Wholesome looking video — homophobic caption: “This is why children need both a mum and a dad”

These are all examples I got today when I decided to make completely new accounts on a new device with a VPN. I tried youtube shorts and tiktok for this and scrolled 20ish videos on each without liking anything.

It scares me how much there is a strong rightward shift amongst the younger population. To the point where 18-24’s in recent german elections have voted the most for the borderline neo-nazi AFD party. I know these parties are by far the most active and very popular on tiktok.

I know to some people these examples might seem anoying but trivial. But you are forgetting how impressionable children and teenagers are. There really is this thing called the alt-right pipeline. One very specific example which impacted me at a younger age, was you start with “mad karen” type videos, then after a couple you get recommended “mad SJW” videos, I think you see where I’m going with this, after a while you’re on “feminism debunked” and watching peterson/crowder/shapiro. I know many childhood friends who went down this pipeline and became insufferably racist bigot adults.

I wonder what others think on this?

  • FundMECFSResearchOP
    7·
    2 months ago

    You’re completely right. But somehow, I feel like it’s mostly escapable on most formats, except the short form video type one, as you rely entirely on an algorithm.

    • Servais (il/le)@discuss.tchncs.de
      4·
      2 months ago

      except the short form video type one, as you rely entirely on an algorithm.

      Facebook, Twitter, even Reddit nowadays promote a certain type of content (reaction inducing), so unfortunately it’s not only shorts

      • FundMECFSResearchOP
        2·
        2 months ago

        Again, correct, but you still custimise your feed to large extent by following stuff.

        Although you can follow people on tiktok and stuff, your feed is almost entirely predetermined by how you interact with content, ie. how long you stayed on certain videos, what you liked, what made you close the app, etc.

        • Servais (il/le)@discuss.tchncs.de
          1·
          2 months ago

          you still custimise your feed to large extent by following stuff.

          I’m not that familiar with the latest versions of the three I listed, but I’ve seen quite a few complaints on Reddit recently who seems to be pushing irrelevant content just for rage bait.

          Also the things you mentioned about tracking are there on Twitter too:

          Twitter’s privacy policy states they use the information collected to: “improve and personalise our products and services so that you have a better experience on Twitter, including by showing you more relevant content and ads, suggesting people and topics to follow, enabling and helping you discover affiliates, third-party apps, and services.”

          It’s important to note that opting out of Twitter’s interest-based ads doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t see targeted advertising. For example, you may still see ads which are based on information such as what you Tweet, who you follow and the links you click on Twitter.

          Often while browsing, if Twitter recognises that you’re interacting with something repeatedly, they will offer for you to follow that particular topic – which can be anything from celebrities to sports teams.

          https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/tech/what-does-twitter-know-about-you-and-your-data-how-to-see-everything-twitter-thinks-about-you-4125827