Be Safe with TikTok: Share Reliable Information
In 2024, TikTok removed over 500 million videos that violated its policies, invested more than US$2 billion in safety efforts, and has allocated another US$2 billion+ to further to enhance platform security. To support this initiative and to create positive, inclusive experiences for everyone, TikTok encourages creators and users to be mindful of the information they share.
TikTok’s Community Guidelines strictly prohibit intentionally deceptive misinformation and fabricated content intended to cause harm. This includes misinformation related to medical issues, climate change, and elections, as well as AI-generated content that could mislead viewers and conspiracy theories or unproven claims. TikTok addresses these issues by removing harmful content and limiting its reach to other users. Health-related misinformation is frequently encountered, often featuring unverified self-diagnosis and treatment methods by non-experts for physical and mental health conditions. Therefore, for accurate health-related advice and information, users can refer to trusted sources such as the World Health Organization Myanmar or the Myanmar Red Cross Society.
Image: TikTok
How TikTok Maintains the Overall Trustworthiness of the Platform
Whether intentional or not, misinformation can cause significant harm. That is why TikTok prioritizes user community safety through actions such as (1) protecting users from dangerous misinformation, (2) collaborating with experts, including the Global Fact-Checking Program, to address evolving misinformation trends, and (3) making official information easily accessible to the community. To achieve these efforts, TikTok works with independent fact-checkers and follows guidance from public health authorities to verify the accuracy of health-related content. Videos containing potentially harmful misinformation or unverified content are removed from the “For You” feed, significantly reducing their reach.
To further protect users, TikTok uses warnings and prompts to encourage people to reconsider before sharing unverified content. If a posted video contains claims that cannot be proven, a visible warning banner is displayed for viewers and the creator is also notified. When someone attempts to share such a warned video, they receive a reminder that the content is unverified and are prompted to reconsider their action, with options to “Cancel” or “Share Anyway,” adding an extra layer of accountability.
Think Again Before Sharing
Every user plays an important role in stopping the spread of misinformation. Take time to verify the source before sharing content and ask key questions such as: Is this information reliable? Is the source unbiased and trustworthy? By following these small but meaningful steps, you can protect yourself and others from the chain spread of false or misleading information.
As highlighted in TikTok’s Be Safe With Soe series created especially for the Myanmar community, users should pause and think twice before sharing unverified news. If you want to learn about such topics through a fun educational program, you can explore the Be Safe with Soe videos featuring characters that share knowledge based on everyday situations. These videos are available on TikTok’s Myanmar Digital Literacy Hub.
By sharing reliable information and fostering responsible online usage, let us work together to create a safer and more knowledgeable TikTok community.
