It follows The i Paper’s investigation exposing how TikTok’s algorithm repeatedly pushed “extremely damaging” videos about feeling depressed, suicidal and lonely to the account of a 13-year-old boy.
The content pushed by TikTok’s algorithm was described as a “toxic cocktail” by the Molly Rose Foundation, the group which campaigns to prevent young people from committing suicide.
‘You don't want to be here’: How TikTok bombards children with harmful content
Read MoreBut the media regulator has confirmed it is now gathering evidence that should include posts which “promote a depressive state of mind, particularly when seen in high volumes”. The i Paper‘s investigation saw potentially harmful content – such as clips about feeling depressed or lonely – pushed at a rate of once every two minutes with seven videos featuring depression shown in less than 45 minutes
Chi Onwurah MP, chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said: “Parents and carers across the country will be hugely concerned by these findings, which show just how easily young people can find themselves at the centre of an algorithmic machine driving harmful content to them.
Screenshots from three of the depressive videos pushed to the teen’s account. Pic: TikTok
Mrs Onwurah’s committee is gathering evidence as part of their inquiry into social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms ahead of filing recommendations to the Government later this year to help protect vulnerable users online.
A preliminary assessment from Ofcom, published in May last year, found “there is evidence to suggest that content relating to experiences of poor mental health can worsen the psychological state of children watching it, contributing to mental conditions such as depression and anxiety”.
Many schools around the country are prohibiting mobile-phone use over concerns for children’s mental health. (Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty)The Safer Phones Bill will soon have a second reading in Parliament and it proposes social media companies should be prevented from using algorithms to push content to child accounts.
“The Online Safety Act was a first step to tackle these issues but we now need bolder action. We need measures that free up children to have more real-world interactions by making social media and smartphones less addictive for kids. That’s what my Safer Phones Bill is designed to do.”
The i Paper’s investigation also found “unreliable” videos about ADHD and autism were frequently pushed to a 13-year old girl’s Instagram account, prompting concerns of misinformation and distress among young viewers who may be wrongly persuaded they have these complex conditions.
Recent comments under one of the videos pushed to a girl’s Instagram account“Social media companies should not be waiting for the new laws to come into force, they should be acting now to prioritise child safety.”
Instagram did not comment but recently launched “Teen Accounts” which are advertised as having built-in protections for teenagers.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.
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