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TikTok frenzies

Insiders say TikTok is the most addictive app the world has seen – is it also whipping up frenzies? Marianna Spring investigates.

TikTok started as an app for posting lip syncs and dance videos, but quickly developed into a platform where users can follow along world events, criminal investigations and social unrest in real time.

From frenzied speculation over true crime to vandalism and protests at schools, TikTok seems to be connected to harmful behaviour offline as the app draws in billions of eyeballs and spawns all kinds of content out at scale and speed.

According to several company insiders, TikTok’s drive towards participation and maximising engagement has led to these frenzies. TikTok says their platform isn’t to blame, but is the app changing our behaviour?

Presenter: Marianna Spring
Producers: Beth Godwin and Olivia Lace-Evans
Editor: Flora Carmichael

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21 minutes

Last on

Mon 25 Sep 202302:32GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

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