By IANE MACASIEB
Social media has enabled people to connect across different worlds, communicate globally, share information and ideas, express opinions, and engage in diverse discussions. Additionally, it has made news, entertainment, and other resources more accessible.
One of today's most popular social apps is TikTok. Although it might seem like a platform solely for entertainment, it has significantly transformed the social media landscape. “TikTok is really about being authentic. And that's the first and foremost thing that makes us different from other social media platform. It is a window that allows users to see what’s happening around the world,” said a representive from the TikTok Singapore transparency and accountability team.
A media tour on July 5 at the TikTok office in One Raffles Quay, Singapore, provided an in-depth look at its various functions, how it differs from other social media apps, the behind-the-scenes processes to keep users safe, and how TikTok addresses concerns about inappropriate content, misinformation, privacy, and security.
Showcasing Filipino creators
The tour began by highlighting Filipino TikTok content creators who have had a significant impact on many lives through a gallery-style exhibit. From arts to sports, current events, and culture, TikTok has paved the way for the rise of influencers. People who once had no platform can now share their stories and provide content for various purposes.
It's no surprise that the Philippines is among the nations with the highest TikTok audience. According to datareportal.com, the Philippines had an estimated 49.09 million TikTok users aged 18 and above in early 2024.
Many Filipino content creators have found great success with their impressive creative content. Inka Magnaye, for example, discusses body positivity, mental health awareness, and other topics that are difficult to address, especially in the Philippine setting.
Other notable creators include food content creator “Lumpia Queen” Abi Marquez, best known for her lumpia-wrapped dishes, and Arshie Larga, the “friendly neighborhood pharmacist.” These accomplished creators are familiar names to most Filipinos.
Beyond providing entertainment and information, TikTok is also an excellent platform for creators to earn money, expand their portfolios, connect with stakeholders, and support their businesses. It serves as a valuable platform for informing and educating people.
Protecting the community
With its mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok demonstrated how they ensure users’ safety and protection. “We use technology and human interface to moderate content and promote a positive environment,” said TikTok Outreach and Partnerships Manager KahnJi Weerachaising.
The team walked us through TikTok’s community guidelines, policies, and content moderation process. We participated in interactive demonstrations at their moderation workstation, gaining a deeper understanding of TikTok’s safety systems.
Using AI, TikTok detects harmful objects, dangerous acts, and unsafe videos that could be restricted under their policies and guidelines. The machines used for moderation are trained to recognize harmful objects and dangerous postures.
Content moderation involves a two-part process. The first part is auto-moderation by a machine, and the second part involves staff members reviewing videos to filter out dangerous content. Actual people ensure that every piece of content meets community guidelines. This secondary process examines the context of videos to determine if they contain harmful content.
Safety control features
The third part of the tour focused on safety controls, particularly for teens and families. To further protect its users, especially younger ones, TikTok has set a 12+ rating in app stores, allowing parents to block or limit specific apps on their child's phone using device-based controls. Only users aged 16 and above can send or receive direct messages.
Another feature is “Family Pairing,” which lets a parent or guardian link their TikTok account to their child’s, enabling them to manage various content and privacy settings. Accounts for users under 18 are automatically set to a 60-minute daily screen time limit.
“By protecting the safety of our users, we create a positive environment for our communities, and we remain committed to protecting users on TikTok,” said Weerachaising.