In the palm of our hands, we have instant access to information from around the world, and among the channels through which we receive this information, TikTok is rapidly becoming a significant influence. With one in five people aged 18 to 24 (20%) using TikTok to consume news and nearly half (44%) of the same age group using the app regularly, this China-born application is on the rise as a fresh channel for news dissemination.
TikTok’s Global Reach
This phenomenon is observable across various regions on our planet. Usage rates of TikTok, especially in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, are remarkably high. In Peru and Thailand, 30% of the population used TikTok in the past week to consume news. These statistics are not merely a fleeting trend, but indicative of a new media environment on the horizon.
It’s even more surprising when we consider that over half of the global TikTok users, exceeding 800 million, outnumber the readership of major news media.
The Challenge: Distinguishing Truth from Falsehood
Behind this trend, however, lies shocking data. Roughly 60% of TikTok users find it difficult to discern whether the information they see is true. This reflects the struggle of separating truth from misinformation in our current society, where information is exponentially expanding.
This difficulty isn’t limited to the average user. Digital natives, young people who have grown up in the digital age, display a notable lack of confidence in their ability to judge the truth of the information they see. About 70% of this demographic believe it’s challenging to verify the truthfulness of the information they encounter, underscoring the urgent need to improve information literacy.
TikTok users are exploding worldwide, many of whom are young people seeking news. This represents a significant indicator of how the flow of information media may change in the future.
The Impact of Misinformation
The consequences of misinformation spreading are immeasurable. According to one study, around 80% of people who acted upon false information later discovered its falsity and reported negative effects. This demonstrates the potential of misinformation to directly impact people’s behaviors and impose negative effects on society.
A New Opportunity: Enhancing Information Literacy
Nevertheless, this also presents an opportunity. In our information-rich society, we need not only to acquire information but also to evaluate its quality and reliability. Being able to navigate this new wave of information can be seen as the first step in becoming the protagonists in the information society.
Our Role: Navigating the New Media Environment
The future that this new media environment is carving out isn’t uniform. The rise of TikTok signals the advent of a new information society. However, with this new current comes the potential spread of misinformation. It is crucial that we all recognize our responsibilities in handling information and continue to strive for the preservation of information reliability in society.
Utilizing new media like TikTok diversifies how we acquire information in contemporary society, granting us the power to create a better information society. By observing information through our own eyes on TikTok and verifying its veracity ourselves, we can all contribute to the development of a better information society.
Next time you open TikTok, consider the value of the information within. Remember to verify the truth of the information yourself. Your discernment could be the key to leading society from falsehood to truth. Rather than being swept away by the new media wave, we must learn to harness it. This is the first step towards becoming the protagonists in the information society.
Conclusion
Today’s society, overflowing with information, makes discerning truth from falsehood a challenge. But, at the same time, it provides us an opportunity to heighten our awareness of information and pursue a deeper understanding. Consuming information isn’t enough. We must scrutinize, evaluate, and utilize it. These are the skills needed to survive in the new information society.
The existence of TikTok clearly presents the challenges we face. But overcoming these challenges enables us to build a better information society. Now is the time for each of us to reassess our actions and embark on new challenges.
