[1st Archyde.com]–Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started on February 24th. Some of the youngest social media users will experience the forefront of conflict on the video posting app TikTok.
Videos of people screaming together in a windowless shelter, explosions in the city, and missiles flying into Ukrainian cities usually occupy Tick Tok, where fashion, exercise, and dance videos are shared. ..
Ukrainian SNS influencers show a murderous scene, such as a picture of themselves wrapped in a blanket in an underground pit and a tank running through a residential area, along with pictures that convey the peaceful memories of their hometown such as blooming flowers and friends laughing at a restaurant. I uploaded it.
They asked their followers to pray for Ukraine and called for donations of Ukrainian military support. In particular, Russian users were asked to participate in anti-war movements.
Many of TikTok’s users are viewers of a generation called “Generation Z.” TikTok plays a central role in delivering news and recent events to this generation, as seen in the latest example of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which it calls a “special military operation.” TikTok’s distinctive algorithm is notorious for providing trending content even if users don’t follow a particular contributor, with a topic among the billion users per month. In the meantime, the possibility of “buzzing” is born.
The app has become so influential in the conflict that Ukrainian President Zelensky appeals to “tick stockers” in his speech to the Russian people as a layer that can contribute to the end of the war. rice field. Some users responded to this.
Ukrainian Arina Bolic, who publishes a travel-themed blog, has more than 36,000 followers on TikTok. She paused to post highlight videos of her trips to Egypt, Spain and Turkey to protect herself from living under Russian invasion, emergency backpacks full of emergency supplies and shards of glass from explosions. I uploaded a video such as a window with a window. In her video posted on TikTok on the 28th, Borick told her followers around the world that she “wants to see the truth (in Ukraine)” through a story she created on Instagram. I also complain.
In an email to Archyde.com, Mr. Borick said he wanted to counter false information in Russian news that Russia’s actions seemed to be just a “military operation” rather than a war that hurt Ukrainians.
On Tick Tok, on the page of a major influencer living in Ukraine, you can see images of houses destroyed by missiles, empty grocery store shelves, and long lines of convoys outside gas stations. ..
“@Zaluznik”, who has 2 million followers, also posted such a video on the 27th, with the caption “Russian, wake up”.
Russian influencers also use TikTok to share their views. Niki Prosin, who has more than 763,000 followers, said in a video posted on the 24th that Russia’s “ordinary people” do not support the war.
“No one of my friends or direct acquaintances supports today’s events,” Prosin said.
Russian communications supervisor Roscomnadzor urged TikTok on the 28th to stop putting it in “recommendations” for minors, saying that much of its military-related content is anti-Russian. .. He asked TikTok for comment, but no response has been obtained at this time.
Researchers focusing on disinformation online warn that false information is being spread on sites such as Tick Tok, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, with false information mixed in with the correct information. There is.
As of last week, scenes from the military simulator video game “Arma3”, images of the explosion in the Israel-Palestine conflict in the Gaza Strip, past footage of heavy firearms bombardment, and videos of flying aircraft are like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is shared on the SNS as if it were a video.
“We continue to monitor the situation carefully, responding to new trends and strengthening our resources to remove offending content, including harmful hoaxes and violent incitements,” a TikTok spokeswoman said. The company said it is affiliated with a fact-checking organization.
Some Ukrainian TikTok users have a mission to share information and raise awareness with viewers in Western countries.
“Please understand that this is not a joke. This is a serious situation facing Ukrainians,” Marta Bashuta, 20, said in an interview on the 28th.
One of Bashuta’s videos on TikTok shows what looks like a flying missile, with the caption “Kyiv, 4:23 am.” As of the 28th, the post has collected more than 131,000 comments, and users who have been flooded with the video have posted safety prayer comments, saying “I can’t believe it.”
“I didn’t expect TikTok to keep me up to date on the war,” said one user.
(Translation: Acrelen)