TikTok wants to limit deadly challenges

TikTok is adjusting its community guidelines to make the platform more secure. The TikTok Challenges, which have often been criticized in the past, are also to be restricted.

TikTok’s user numbers are increasing and increasing. It was not until September 2021 that the Chinese spa video app passed the milestone of one billion monthly active users.

This week, the platform was able to clear another hurdle in the monthly active users. Because in the USA TikTok has this week for the first time 150 million Active users counted per month. In 2020 it was still 100 million.

What are TikTok Challenges?

Part of TikTok’s recipe for success is its challenges. These are often small tests of courage or dance challenges. But in the past there have always been injuries or even deaths in connection with TikTok Challenges.

Now the platform has announced its Customize Community Guidelines to want. TikTok Challenges should also be more restricted. The reason could be the ongoing criticism from Western countries. TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew also has to answer questions before the US Congress this week.

What is TikTok planning with the new community guidelines?

With the new community guidelines, TikTok wants to make its platform “a safer place”. The guidelines are “of central importance” when it comes to moderation of content.

This allows us to act fairly, protect the human dignity of our users and find a balance between freedom of expression and the avoidance of harm.

In the coming months, TikTok wants to train its moderators so that the new standards can be implemented. The new community guidelines will then come into force on April 21 for all users on the platform.

How is the situation changing for TikTok Challenges?

In the new community guidelines TikTok explicitly addresses “dangerous actions and challenges”. The platform welcomes the mostly “funny and creative trends”. However, some activities would carry “a significant risk of injury”.

So far, the platform has primarily removed videos from the platform that can lead to serious injury or death. Previously, less dangerous content was said to be “may not be allowed”.

However, this should change after the adjustment. In the future, TikTok will not allow any content that “shows or advertises dangerous actions and challenges”. Videos will also no longer be eligible for the For You feed if they “may cause moderate physical harm.”

This includes dares, games, tricks, the improper use of dangerous tools, the consumption of harmful substances or similar activities that can lead to significant physical harm.

Content that is “highly likely to be impersonated and could cause physical harm” will be age-restricted.

TikTok Challenges: Not always just fun challenges

Unfortunately, not only funny dance challenges are circulating on the Chinese short video platform. Challenges like the “Tide Pod Challenge” or the “Pee Your Pants Challenge” have also found their way to TikTok.

But TikTok Challenges are also repeatedly associated with fatal accidents involving children. For example, with the “Benadryl Challenge”, in which users get high with an overdose of the anti-allergy drug. In Oklahoma, a 15-year-old girl died from this challenge.

And there was a similar case in Italy a few years ago. A ten-year-old girl choked herself unconscious with a belt for the “Blackout Challenge”. Doctors later found her brain dead.

It was only at the beginning of January that TikTok received renewed criticism from EU Commissioner Thierry Breton precisely because of such content. He criticized the platform because “harmful and sometimes even life-threatening content” is hidden behind “apparently funny and harmless functions” for users.

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