Fake news, endangering young people: should TikTok be banned?

Very popular among young people, TikTok is considered one of the most problematic digital platforms, due to the massive spread of false information. Many countries have already banned TikTok for various reasons, including the risk of espionage by China, manipulation of public opinion, and the endangerment of young users due to violent content. In 2024, the European Commission began legal proceedings against TikTok. During the week of 11 March, the French National Assembly is set to examine the creation of a board of inquiry to examine the psychological effects of TikTok on minors, looking in particular at the risk of suicidal behaviour and ideation.

Banned in January 2025 in the US, TikTok is still one of the most influential platforms in the world, with 1.5 billion active users worldwide and 15 million monthly users in France. One in two children in France aged 11-12 has a TikTok account, according to Arcom (the French Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication), even though the minimum age for signing up is 13. Popular with younger generations, it is shaping their relationship with information and increasingly competing with traditional media. But behind its viral challenges and popular videos, there is a growing concern: has TikTok become an accelerator of misinformation and a covert tool of influence? What is the impact of its algorithmic model on critical thinking and democracy?

Research shows that TikTok is a breeding ground for misinformation. A study conducted between January and March 2020 found that 20% to 32% of videos about Covid-19 shared on the platform contained false or misleading information. In 2022, an analysis conducted by Newsguard confirmed these findings, showing that 20% of news videos on TikTok contained misleading information.

Unlike traditional media outlets, where sources are verified and fact-checking tools are used, TikTok relies on an opaque and highly personalised algorithm designed to maximise user engagement, without regard for the reliability of content, and without information prioritisation or content labelling. The more viral a video is, the more it is promoted, regardless of whether it is true or not.

TikTok versus Twitter and Facebook: what are the specific characteristics of fake news propagation?

Contrary to Facebook and Twitter, where viral reach relies mainly on manual sharing and user interactions, TikTok immediately promotes content to a wide audience without requiring active intervention.

A study by the Integrity Institute showed that TikTok amplifies false information more than its competitors, even though X (Twitter) is known to spread false information six times faster than true information. This dynamic fuels a phenomenon of increased misinformation where false information circulates faster and more widely than verified information.

TikTok’s engaging short-form video format is an asset for viral reach, but a hindrance to critical analysis. Unlike YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter), which allow long-form videos, detailed articles or discussion threads, TikTok imposes a paradigm of speed, with videos generally lasting between 15 and 60 seconds.

Consequences :

• No time to dig deeper or contextualise information

• Users consume passively without checking

• A striking piece of fake news becomes more credible than a detailed denial.

Continuous scrolling and an algorithm that promotes misinformation

TikTok’s endless scroll, where videos play one after another without interruption, encourages passive consumption of content. This format limits the time available for reflection and verification of information, thus amplifying the viral reach of unverified videos.

This dynamic encourages computational propaganda i.e. the use of algorithms, automation and anonymity to manipulate public opinion and massively disseminate misleading content. In practical terms, automated bots can be used to share videos in a coordinated manner, giving a false impression of popular support. This is how infinite scrolling becomes a strategic lever for the large-scale dissemination of disinformation.

In May 2024, the NGO Global Witness demonstrated the platform’s inability to detect advertisements containing false information, particular during election campaigns, despite an overhaul of its moderation in October 2024 to aid AI.

TikTok also uses sophisticated audio strategies to manipulate opinion, thereby reinforcing the spread of misinformation. By amplifying emotion and viral reach, audio content facilitates the mass dissemination of misinformation.

Young people, a prime target

According to a Statista survey, conducted between April 2023 and March 2024, 69% of French adults under the age of 30 regularly use TikTok, demonstrating the app’s growing influence on this age group. At the same time, an Ifop study revealed that 69% of 18-24 year olds believe at least one scientific falsehood, illustrating the scale of the challenge in terms of information literacy.

However, TikTok has a major influence on the perceptions of younger generations, particularly due to the absence of any dialogue about ideas. Like other platforms, its algorithm tends to intensify the “filter bubble” effect, trapping users in information environments that consolidate their beliefs by offering them content that aligns with these beliefs.

This phenomenon has already been highlighted in studies looking at the role of social media in the radicalisation of young people. This research shows that jihadist groups exploit flaws in algorithms to spread their ideologies through powerful emotional content.

Finally, TikTok has widely shared viral challenges that directly endanger the lives of young users. Examples include the infamous “Blackout Challenge” which involves holding one’s breath until passing out, and the “Skullbreaker Challenge”, which involves tripping a friend, causing them to fall and suffer serious injuries.

Does TikTok endanger democracy?

Accused of serving China’s interests, TikTok is now in the authorities’ sights. In July 2023, a French Senate report denounced the risks of espionage and manipulation through data collection by ByteDance, its Chinese parent company.

More recently (February 2025), the Viginum report revealed that foreign actors had exploited the platform’s moderation flaws to influence the Romanian presidential election.

Across the world, several countries have decided to restrict or ban TikTok.

Three main reasons explain this decision:

National security and digital sovereignty

The United States banned TikTok in January 2025 due to concerns that user data could be accessed by Chinese authorities. India had already taken this measure in 2020 amid border tensions with China.

Preserving cultural values

Countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and Jordan have blocked TikTok, deeming certain content inappropriate or likely to cause social and religious tensions.

Protecting young people and addressing violent content

Albania blocked the app in 2024, accusing it of encouraging harassment among young people, and becoming the first country on the continent to completely block TikTok (for one year). The sharing of content linked to terrorism led to Somalia’s decision to ban the app.

What are the options for regulating TikTok in France and the EU?

In response to growing concerns about TikTok, France and the European Union have adopted measures to regulate the use of the platform. In March 2023, France banned the installation of “recreational” applications, including TikTok, on the professional devices of civil servants, citing risks to national security.

At the same time, the European Union introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), imposing greater obligations on online platforms in terms of the transparency of their algorithms and data storage, and providing for penalties of up to 6% of the company's annual worldwide sales in the event of non-compliance.

In February 2024, the European Commission instituted formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok had breached the Digital Services Act, with particular regard to the protection of minors and advertising transparency. These are the second proceedings of their kind under the new European rules, following those [concerning X (Twitter)].

The results have not yet been published and there is no fixed term for these proceedings. The DSA gives the Commission the power to impose financial penalties. However, a total ban on TikTok in Europe would be an extreme measure – not foreseen by the DSA – and would require complex political decision-making.

The European Union is currently seeking to strike a delicate balance between protecting users – especially young people – and upholding digital freedoms.