by The Government needs a TikTok strategy to help tackle misinformation aimed at young people, MPs said.
Members of the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee said the Government needs to adapt to new apps and platforms that appeal to young people who are increasingly turning away from traditional news sources.
The recommendation is part of a wider report published on Friday that calls for more “trusted voices” such as scientists and doctors to communicate important information and counter conspiracy theories and other misinformation being spread. on social media.
Data from Ofcom said that one in ten 12-15-year-olds cited TikTok as their main source of news, while 71% of 16-24-year-olds use social media instead of or in addition to news websites.
A spokesperson from TikTok said they welcomed the suggestion that the Government should engage with the public on whatever social media platform they choose to use.
The committee said: “TikTok’s recent growth and decisions to retire from the platform or potentially ban it show how quickly sources of information change.
“New apps and platforms quickly become major players, changing audience habits and also fragmenting the sources the public uses for information.
“The Government must have a clear strategy to communicate with young people and adapt to the development of new apps and platforms that appeal to this audience.”
During its inquiry, the committee heard from the BBC’s disinformation editor, Rebecca Skippage, who said that broadcasters needed to “be in those spaces (social media) and learn from “the disinformation merchants because they are very good at attracting attention people”.
MPs also heard from consumer champion Martin Lewis, who said he started using TikTok in response to “balderdash” produced by other users of the platform.
TikTok has been a source of concern for the Government in recent years, with security concerns leading to the app being banned from official electronic devices and the UK Parliament network.
Some Whitehall departments continue to use TikTok, with Defense Secretary Grant Shapps a prominent enthusiast for the platform, although his spokesman said he does not use it on official devices.
Following the decision to ban TikTok from Government devices, a spokesman for Mr Shapps said: “He is concerned that representatives of people who deliberately choose not to engage with the public on the platforms they use are unlikely to continue representing these voters. long.”
As well as developing a strategy to attract young people to the platforms they use, the committee urged the Government to make greater use of “the large number of experts it employs”, building on the role played by by Sir Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance during the. Pandemic covid-19.
They also called for the Government to be more transparent in publishing the evidence it used to make policy, especially in areas that are often subject to misinformation, in an effort to increase confidence.
Chair of the Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said: “With the spread of misinformation on social media still a real problem, it is more important than ever that communities across the country have access to accurate and authoritative information communicated in an open manner and changeable.
“There are lessons to be learned from the pandemic where scientists played a vital role in communication.
“The Government is missing a trick not to give them a greater public role in the battle against misinformation.”
A Government spokesman said: “We use a range of ways to reach people directly on the platforms where they spend the most time.
“This includes marketing on digital and social platforms, including those that attract a younger audience.
“Once implemented the Online Safety Act will also help tackle the root cause of disinformation by requiring social media platforms to quickly remove illegal misinformation and disinformation as soon as they become aware of it .”
A TikTok spokesperson said: “Millions of people come to TikTok to be entertained and informed, so we debunk misinformation, provide authoritative content through initiatives like poll centers and our new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and we also run media literacy. campaigns to help our community tell fact from fiction.
“More and more politicians and public bodies are joining TikTok so they can provide users with reliable information about their campaigns, causes and policies, so we welcome this report’s recommendation that the Government should engage with the community on whatever platform they choose to use. “
