Search

Background: Microtia is a congenital ear malformation that can significantly impact self-esteem and social interactions. With TikTok becoming a popular source for health information, concerns have emerged about the reliability of content related to microtia. The accuracy of information on TikTok regarding microtia remains unclear, raising questions about its influence on patient decision-making. Methods: A comprehensive search of TikTok was conducted using the term "microtia," with the first 300 videos sorted by relevance being analyzed. After applying exclusion criteria, 224 videos were included in the study. We conducted a detailed analysis of the video content, examining the specific information provided. The quality of these videos was assessed using four established tools: DISCERN, PEMAT-A/V, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS). The DISCERN instrument evaluated the reliability, quality of treatment choices of the videos, while the PEMAT-A/V assessed the understandability, actionability of patient education content. The Global Quality Score (GQS) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks were used as comparators to further evaluate video quality. Results: 79.02% were created by plastic surgeons, with additional content from otolaryngologists and hospitals. Engagement metrics were moderate overall, with topics such as "Microtia Surgery Consultation" and "Postoperative Follow-up" receiving the most attention. The average DISCERN score was 48.60, reflecting moderate quality. While understandability was high (100%) according to PEMAT-A/V, actionability varied (median 66.67%). GQS scores indicated moderate information quality, and JAMA scores were generally low. Notably, four videos contained misleading information. Conclusions: TikTok provides easily accessible information on microtia, but the overall quality and reliability of content are inconsistent. The information is good in terms of understandability and actionability, but the quality of the content still needs improvement. Enhanced regulation and verification of health information are crucial to ensure patients have access to accurate, actionable data. Healthcare professionals should actively engage on these platforms to provide high-quality, reliable content. Level of Evidence: Not gradable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effect of TikTok use on the internet addiction of college students in Somalia. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 students at the faculty of health sciences of a university in Mogadishu, Somalia. The data were obtained with the Individual Information Form and Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form. The students’ internet addiction average score was 31.93±7.14. A positive, very weak, significant correlation was determined between the students’ daily time spent on TikTok and internet addiction (r=.190, p=.006). Internet addiction scores of students having a TikTok account and using the TikTok application were found to be significantly higher than students not having (p=.027) and not using the application (p=.032). This study shows that most students had a TikTok account and actively used this application, and their internet addiction level was moderate. The students having a TikTok account and using the application had higher internet addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the quality, reliability, and level of misinformation in TikTok videos about hysteroscopy. Methods: A cross‐sectional analysis of TikTok videos retrieved using "hysteroscopy" as search term was performed. Patient education materials assessment tool for audio‐visual content (PEMAT A/V), the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), global quality scale (GQS), video information and quality index (VIQI) and misinformation assessment were used. Results: Of three hundred videos captured, 156 were excluded and 144 were included. Most videos were partially accurate or uninformative (43.8% and 34.7%, respectively). Non‐healthcare providers produced more inaccurate or uninformative videos than healthcare workers (51.1% vs 4.0%; P < 0.001). Compared to content by professionals, content by patients showed increased distrust towards gynecologists (11.7% vs 0%; P = 0.012) and increased incidence of anxiety and concern towards hysteroscopy (25.5% vs 2%; P < 0.001). PEMAT A/V scores for understandability and actionability were low at 42.9% (interquartile range [IQR]: 11.1–70) and 0% (IQR: 0–0), respectively. Understandability (P < 0.001) and actionability (P = 0.001) were higher for professionals' created content relative to patients' videos. Similarly, median mDISCERN score was low (1 [IQR 0–2]), with significantly higher score for healthcare professionals compared to patients (P < 0.001). Overall video quality was also low, with median VIQI and GQS score of 7 (IQR 4–11) and 1 (IQR 1–3), respectively, and significantly higher scores for healthcare workers' captions compared to patients' for both (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: TikTok videos' quality on hysteroscopy seems unsatisfactory and misinformative, with low understandability and actionability scores. Videos recorded by healthcare workers show higher quality and less misinformation than those by patients. Raising the awareness regarding the low quality of medical information on social media is crucial to increase future reliability and trustworthiness. Synopsis: Quality of TikTok videos on hysteroscopy appears inadequate, with low scores for actionability and understandability. Effort is required before TikTok can be trustworthy on hysteroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study illustrates how EduTok applies Nano-Learning principles to improve grammar instruction, offering avenues for targeted, efficient language learning. Nano-Learning (NL) is gaining traction in modern education due to its focused, adaptive content presentation. EduTok videos are utilized to teach topics like English grammar, presenting information in manageable segments. This study analyzed 55 videos from one TikTok account, focused on video length, content, and NL principles. The findings showed that EduTok videos focus on a single grammatical concept, real-world application in everyday life, and common grammatical mistakes, using multimodal elements for contextual learning. The key features of these nano-learning videos include brevity, video length, visual engagement, and interactive delivery. The instructional style includes grammar tips, binary exercises, and conversational approaches to encourage learner engagement and accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of message frames (gain vs. loss) and sources (formal expert: a health-care professional vs. informal expert: an individual who successfully quit vaping) on the persuasiveness of TikTok videos among youth who currently use e-cigarettes. Additionally, the study examined how emotional responses and perceived message effectiveness (PME) mediate the framing effect on youth intention to quit vaping. A 2 (gain frame vs. loss frame) × 2 (formal expert vs. informal expert) factorial design experiment was conducted with 378 youth aged 13 to 18 who currently use e-cigarettes. The study measured participant's emotional responses, PME of the messages, and intention to quit vaping after the video exposure. Messages from a formal expert resulted in stronger intention to quit vaping compared to messages from an informal expert. Gain-framed messages were associated with higher PME when delivered by an informal expert, whereas loss-framed messages showed stronger effects on PME from a formal expert. Positive emotional responses and increased PME mediated the relationship between gain-framed messages and youth intention to quit vaping. TikTok could serve as an effective tool for formal experts to promote vaping cessation among youth who use e-cigarettes. Additionally, the findings suggest that gain frames may be more influential than loss frames in promoting vaping cessation among youth, by eliciting positive emotional responses from the audience. The differential impact of message frames depending on source type indicates a nuanced interaction between content and messenger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed college students' perceptions of body image on TikTok, specifically regarding face filters. Undergraduate college students (N = 508) completed an online survey focused on their perceptions of face filters, cultural beauty standards and the role of social media in reinforcing beauty industry pressures on users. This cross-sectional data set was analysed to explore which face filter features were most frequently reported by respondents and what cultural beauty standards college students perceive as most salient. Findings suggest that emerging adults are susceptible to cultural beauty standards and may utilise face filters to cope with the pressure to have an idealised look rooted in Eurocentric features. Theoretical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractShort-form videos, often found on TikTok but available across social media, are increasing in both popularity and in the frequency that they are sought out for informational purposes. Short-form videos can be delivered via live streaming or via pre-recorded messages, both of which provide different affordances to users. We explore two of these affordances: The synchronous communication between viewers, creators, and moderators permitted by live streaming short-form videos, and the presence of visuals in videos, which provide complementary information via a second perceptual processing stream. An experiment with an undergraduate student sample (N = 412) was conducted. Data demonstrates a clear pattern of live streaming (with its synchronous communication affordances) resulting in greater enjoyment, perceived credibility, perceived learning, and recall memory, whereas the presence of visuals does not influence most of these outcomes. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TikTok is a user-driven video platform that fosters communication, engagement, and interactivity among its users. Health influencers leverage TikTok to promote and share medical advice on various health topics, including breast cancer. This study investigates the factors that contribute to the persuasiveness of cancer influencers on TikTok by analyzing the 25 most popular breast cancer videos. The analysis employs a rhetorical framework consisting of three primary appeals: ethos (credibility, expectation, and reference), pathos (tone, emphasis, and engagement), and logos (clarity, consciousness, and arrangement). Each rhetorical appeal encompasses three characteristics that help elucidate the influencers' persuasive communication strategies. The study identifies four key themes related to these persuasion strategies: the integration of ethos, pathos, and logos within individual videos; the use of medical expertise to enhance credibility; the strategic utilization of TikTok's unique features to effectively convey messages; and the role of TikTok as a platform for informing, educating, and raising awareness about breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has explored how the rise of new social media platforms affords new opportunities for public representations of femininity to varying effects. This paper contributes to this body of work drawing on videos posted on the social media platform, TikTok. We ask, how is womanhood being represented on the platform? To address this, we thematically analysed TikTok videos (n = 150) garnering the most attention from platform users that represent experiences unique to being “a woman” which share the sound “Oh how I love being a woman.” The following themes were identified: safety, beauty as self-care and feminine bonding, and authenticity as mess. Videos concerned with safety offer a critique of structural gendered norms by representing the lived realities ofg women’s management of a dangerous public sphere. Concurrently, there are contrasting representations of womanhood in the private spaces of bedrooms and bathrooms. Feminine connection and enjoyment via beauty rituals celebrate a retreat into the private sphere, whilst mess signifies a particularly authentic performance of femininity. We contend that these representations may indicate a concerning trend in post-feminist culture where the public/private binary is reinforced, and structural gendered inequities are acknowledged yet perceived as inherent and unchanging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better promote the development of Clanis bilineata tsingtauica larva industry, the present study initiated an comprehensive analysis of the research and development status of C.bilineata tsingtauica larva industry based on big data.Based on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Web of Science core collection, the official website of China National Intellectual Property Administration, national public service platform for standards information, local service platform for standards information, Tianyancha, and TikTok etc., the present study used metrological research methods and Graphpad Prism visual analysis software to carry out systematic statistical analysis from Chinese and SCI literature, patents, standards, enterprises and TikTok accounts. The study established a comprehensive C.bilineata tsingtauica larva industry database covering 173 Chinese and 36 SCI articles, 194 patents (including 101 authorized), 3 standards, 365 enterprises (310 enterprises involved in the rearing, 202 enterprises involved in the sales and 75 enterprises involved in the processing) and 131 TikTok accounted with more than 1 000 fans. The number of literature related to the larva of C.bilineata tsingtauica showed a consistent upward trend over years, particularly experiencing explosive growth since the 21st century. Similarly, the number of patents associated with C.bilineata tsingtauica larva was steadily increasing, with a significant proportion of invention patents.These patents were primarily focused on the prevention and control of C.bilineata tsingtauica larva as well as its rearing.Researchers had continuously exploring the edible value of C.bilineata tsingtauica larva, and the research direction gradually shifted from prevention and control to rearing around 2010.Currently, there were three local standards related to C.bilineata tsingtauica larva, all of which were centered on rearing or a combination of planting and rearing. The C.bilineata tsingtauica larva industry was predominantly concentrated in East China, with a expansion trend around Jiangsu province.Furthermore, there were notable collaborations among industry, education and research in this sector.The emergence of new media platforms like Tiktok also played a role in facilitating the development of this industry. The C. bilineata tsingtauica larva industry formed an industrial chain of rearing, processing and sales, along with corresponding scientific research technologies. The results of the present study played a promoting and guiding role for the development of the C.bilineata tsingtauica larva industry and other related industries, aiming at improving the future dietary structure of humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores TikTok users' responses to a racist incident at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. We analyse the content strategies of TikToks that received the most engagement as well as a timeline of TikToks to analyse how the framing of the event shifted over time. We consider TikTok as a space for youth to reflect on everyday politics in highly personalized ways and to develop their voice and visibility through particular content strategies. We firstly argue that South African youth frame local political acts within global frameworks to link their own political realities to algorithmically recognized global causes. In addressing both local audiences and the algorithm, activists construct messages with potentially broader algorithmic visibility that speak both to their highly localized context and to a global generation Z audience. We caution that such global framings of local political events may limit engagement with local complexities. Secondly, we argue that similar to TikTok activism globally, we observe the 'memefication' or 'templatibility' of activist messages on TikTok, where users juxtapose a political message with an audio meme or 'earworm'. By doing this, South African users mobilize increased visibility and insert these intertextual political messages within existing 'imitation publics' that algorithmically congregate around such global memes, infusing new meaning into the affective language of global youth culture, while injecting playfulness into local political culture. We therefore argue that TikTok's power is essentially glocal, as it allows local issues to be reframed through global discourses and memes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate how perceptions of TikTok content creators’ credibility affect customers’ intentions to engage with restaurant-related TikTok content and purchasing decisions. This study employed a survey method to gather responses from individuals who had viewed food and beverage content on TikTok, created by restaurant operators, influencers, and former customers who had patronized the establishments. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that the perceived credibility of TikTok content creators including restaurant operators, influencers, and former customers significantly affected the restaurant’s credibility on TikTok and consumers’ enjoyment. This, in turn, greatly influenced their intentions to engage with the restaurant’s TikTok content and their likelihood of making a purchase at the restaurant. This study advances theoretical and practical knowledge by assessing the reliability of TikTok content creators which provided understanding of the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) Model by investigating how content from restaurants, influencers, and former customers affects restaurant credibility on TikTok and delivers a hedonic experience to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To date, over 1.3 billion videos with the hashtag #bodyneutrality have been viewed on TikTok. Despite this, little existing literature has unpacked how body neutrality is conceptualised on TikTok. We examined how TikTok creators construct meaning and generate discourse surrounding #bodyneutrality. Methods: Extending on previous works in the body neutrality space, we conducted a hybrid content/thematic analysis of TikTok videos in three different languages (English, Spanish, and Italian). Initially, 300 videos displaying "#bodyneutrality" were identified on TikTok. The first 178 TikTok videos were analysed, following the principles of data saturation and feasibility. Results: We developed three themes: (1) The normalisation of diverse bodies, (2) The rejection of appearance as fundamentally important, and (3) Body neutrality is (better than) body positivity. Conclusions: In line with conceptualisations of body neutrality in existing literature, some content emphasised the importance of devaluing physical appearance. Building on existing definitions, most creators also framed body neutrality as speaking to the fundamental humanness of owning a body and attempted to normalise various body shapes/sizes. Conversely, some content employed #bodyneutrality to promote or examine body positivity principles or to condemn appearance-based stigmatisation. Our study is one of the first to examine how body neutrality is understood and employed by people in the real world. Plain English summary: Content promoting body neutrality, often shared with #bodyneutrality, has recently become more popular on social media, especially on the widely-used platform TikTok. Consequently, the current study aimed to examine how body neutrality is represented and discussed on TikTok. After conducting a hybrid content/thematic analysis of 178 TikTok videos in English, Spanish, and Italian, we identified three main themes to describe body neutrality: (1) The normalisation of diverse bodies, (2) The rejection of appearance as fundamentally important, and (3) Body neutrality is (better than) body positivity. In the analysed videos, body neutrality content depicted the experience of having a body as fundamentally normal, natural, and human. Moreover, many videos deemphasized the importance placed on beauty in favour of individual characteristics (e.g., hobbies). Finally, some videos compared body neutrality with body positivity, highlighting similarities and differences between the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of study is to identify the correlation between watching Filipino trending TikTok outfit ideas to the aspects of body image and its lifestyle influence, particularly among young adults in Bacoor, Cavite. Body image refers to a person's interpretation of their physical image and emotions and feelings. The said aspects are perceptual, affective, and cognitive. To ensure the anonymity of respondents regarding personal information, we provide consent forms to the young adult participants in Bacoor, Cavite. All respondents who are TikTok users were chosen using random sampling to achieve the desired findings. Pearson's R correlation was used to determine the statistics and the correlation in the study. With regards with the demographics, there is no significant difference between males and females when it comes to body image. Results showed that affective body image is significantly correlated with perceptual and cognitive body image. Perceptual body image is significantly correlated with cognitive body image. Lastly, affective, perceptual, and cognitive body image is correlated with the influence of TikTok. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social, cultural, and political (SCP) symbols in campaigns play vital roles in connecting emotionally with people, representing identity, simplifying complex issues, and reinforcing political ideologies. This study investigates the impact of SCP symbol content on engagement, emotional responses, and trust in electoral process in TikTok-based anti-disinformation campaigns during Taiwanese 2024 general elections. Utilizing advanced natural language processing and machine learning, we analyzed posts and comments, categorizing them for presence and type of SCP symbols. We employed a multi-faceted approach, examining engagement metrics, emotional responses, and trust evaluations across different symbol categories. Our novel categorization ranged from content without symbols to those incorporating multiple symbol types, providing nuanced understanding of symbolic influence. Findings reveal a strong positive correlation between the complexity of symbolic content and user engagement, with cultural symbols emerging as potent in driving interaction and fostering trust. Emotional analysis showed symbol-rich content elicited more positive emotional responses, especially with cultural symbols. Trust evaluations showed increases in symbol diversity increased trust, with cultural and political symbols generating the highest trust levels towards Taiwan's democratic and electoral process. Statistical validation through non-parametric tests confirmed that the observed effects were not artifacts of data distribution or follower count variations. Our findings have significant implications for public affairs, strategic communications, policymakers, and platform managers, providing a framework for crafting more effective, culturally resonant content in digital socio-political campaigns. This study also opens avenues for further research into the long-term effects of symbolic communication on political behavior and democratic participation in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is beyond dispute that social networks exert a profound influence on contemporary society. The debate surrounding this phenomenon has largely been resolved. The objective of this article is twofold: firstly, to present the evolution of the social network TikTok in the university environment six years after its launch; secondly, to analyse the perception of this social network by university students. The study is based on a review of the profiles created on TikTok by Spanish universities. Furthermore, a survey was conducted to ascertain the perceptions held by students regarding these institutional accounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the use of TikTok by Spanish universities as an institutional communication tool, focusing on viral trends and their impact on engagement. From the 60 universities with a presence on TikTok, the 10 with the highest engagement were selected for a content analysis (N = 100) of their most popular videos. A mixed methodology, combining deductive and inductive coding, was used to classify content types and measure engagement rates. The results highlight the effectiveness of short videos aligned with viral trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: TikTok is a rapidly growing social media platform with over 800 million users worldwide. Many patients access fertility-related content across social media platforms, however, this has never been studied related to TikTok. This study aimed to describe patient perspectives and experiences using TikTok for fertility-related content. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey from April 1st 2023 to October 1st 2023 at a large fertility center in Toronto, Canada. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they self-identified that they use TikTok for fertility-related content and had pursued any form of fertility care. Results of the survey were described with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: A total of 23 patients with a mean age of 36.74±6.67 years participated in the online survey. Fertility-related TikTok content included lived experiences of fertility journeys descriptions of fertility treatments or procedures, live-streaming of fertility treatments or procedures, interactive questions and answers, and educational videos. Creators of fertility-related TikTok content include patients undergoing fertility treatments, physicians, naturopaths, counselors, and patient advocates. The most common reasons for liking TikTok for fertility content included empathy or shared experiences, stress relief, and self-education. Reasons for disliking TikTok for fertility information included misinformation, commercialization or advertisements, and negative emotions of stress, anxiety, or emotional upset. Misconceptions seen on TikTok included misinformation about complications and success rates for assisted reproductive therapy, as well as nutritional advice. Conclusion: Fertility providers should have a growing awareness of information available on TikTok for patients accessing fertility care and assisted reproductive technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online informal language learning has surged due to the growing interaction on social networking sites, such as TikTok and YouTube. One vital interaction method is through comments, revealing insights into learner behaviors and thoughts. Concurrently, the Korean Wave has made Korean a sought-after language. This study examined comments under Korean language learning hashtags on TikTok and YouTube in English and Spanish. From 570 comments, three themes were discerned: (1) those oriented towards the video creator, (2) those focused on the community, and (3) those highlighting Korean language understanding. Findings indicate that these comments foster a supportive environment for sharing experiences and resources while addressing content inaccuracies or linguistic uncertainties. However, there was no interaction in Korean within these comments. Hence, while videos provide linguistic input, comments mainly facilitate metalinguistic reflection, but not a space for interactive Korean language use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, social networking platforms have become an important communication channel for protesters in autocratic countries. In August 2020 and January 2021, the messaging application Telegram and social media platform Tik-Tok became platforms for protest mobilization and coordination in Belarus and Russia respectively. This article applies previous research within social movements and democratization studies about the use of Facebook and Twitter to instigate and galvanize protests in autocratic countries in order to explore how protest mobilization on newly politicized platforms such as Telegram and TikTok is manifested. For this purpose, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of 1,128 protest-related publications (posts) on Telegram's channel NextaLive and 100 videos on TikTok. The conclusion provides an extended framework for analyzing political mobilization online and argues that social networking platforms can themselves be considered spaces that are commensurate with those of offline protest and not merely tools to stimulate democratic participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines, from a psychological perspective, why some young people may diagnose themselves with a mental health condition or neurodevelopmental difference after engaging with TikTok content. The article joins the discourse around TikTok self-diagnosis among adolescents, which has circulated since 2022, and offers alternative considerations and perspectives. The reasons a young person may self-diagnose are complicated and multifaceted, extending beyond any explanation of naivety or attention-seeking. In this paper the phenomenon is approached through an application of social psychological theories relating to identity, belonging, and self-labelling. The broader context is considered against the backdrop of the neurodiversity movement and corresponding cultural shift, with reference to the intersecting systemic barriers faced by young people which impede the availability and accessibility of adequate support. Opportunities for future research and suggestions for how educational psychologists may consider online environments within professional practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital communication technologies transform social relationships by networking strangers into mediated intimate publics. Guided by the question of what happens when displays of public intimacy go viral, I analyze communicative methods within intimate publics on TikTok through an exploratory, qualitative case study of the viral "couch guy" meme. Results indicate that users on TikTok participate in intimate publics through the uploading of original content, duplication and replication of content, commenting, and lurking. Utilizing sensemaking as an analytic, first, I demonstrate how TikTok's platform affordances transform displays of public intimacy into public extimacy, transforming TikTok into a space where social scripts and relationship expectations are negotiated. Second, I offer a preliminary organizational structure of communicative actions within the "couch guy" public on TikTok. Overall, this article concludes that participation in mediated publics has the potential to influence interpersonal relationships offline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the role of social media in public health through a case of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning prevented and subsequently overlooked, as influenced by digital community interaction. A TikTok influencer shared an experience with a coal stove, leading to followers advising against its use due to CO poisoning risks. This advice was heeded, yet a family member, unaware of these risks, experienced CO poisoning. This incident illuminates social media's potential in disseminating life-saving health information and influencing behavior, forming the basis of "Media Epidemiology." This new field studies how digital communication impacts health-related behaviors and outcomes. Our analysis highlights social media as a tool for rapid health information dissemination and preventive action. It underscores the need for integrating digital platform dynamics into public health strategies, emphasizing education on hazards like CO poisoning. This study advocates for leveraging social media in public health, exemplifying its role in disease prevention and health promotion, and marking a significant stride in contemporary epidemiological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Punk is a subcultural community and lifestyle whose dress and aesthetics have been incorporated into the mainstream fashion industry and popularized beyond self-identified punks. However, punk styles maintain their anti-hegemonic design symbolism and still act as cues for punks. 'PunkTok' formed as the result of individuals using the social media platform TikTok as a self-presentation and communication vehicle to showcase the complexities of their punk identity. With the application of general themes from Goffman's dramaturgical analysis, this research aims to understand how dress and TikTok technical capabilities are used to communicate personal identity, community identity and authenticity in the US punk community on TikTok. The findings reveal that contextual information, such as hashtags, and the demonstration of knowledge and experience are integral to identifying and authenticating PunkTok dress and identity. Intersectionality revealed itself to be a key theme in the research and impacted the choices made by the PunkTokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of social media and networking has been remarkable. Since its inception in 1995 with Classmates.com, the landscape evolved to include Friendster in 2002, LinkedIn and MySpace in 2003, and Facebook in 2004. Today, social networking is a global phenomenon, with Facebook boasting nearly 2.95 billion active users worldwide (Statista, 2023a). The number of significant social media platforms has also increased, with the top sites in the United States accounting for most of the activity. This study explores a 2021 Pew Internet dataset through Two-Step Cluster Analysis to identify Social Networking User Groups. By combining usage data from top social media websites with pertinent demographic and sociographic information, we establish two distinct user clusters for social media in the US as of 2021. The implications for marketers, researchers, and society at large are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the Potaxie, Fifes, and Tilinx subcultures on TikTok, examining their origins, characteristics, and cultural significance. Originating from a viral video in 2020, the Potaxie subculture emerged within the Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ community and evolved to symbolise inclusivity and gender equality. Potaxies use vibrant aesthetics influenced by Japanese and Korean pop culture to express their identities and resistance. In contrast, Fifes, associated with cisgender heterosexual men, embody traditional patriarchal values, often sexist and homophobic, creating a narrative of resistance between the groups. The Tilinx, symbolic descendants of the Potaxies, are inspired by ballroom culture and drag houses, with "Potaxie mothers" continuing the fight for inclusion and diversity. Using a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis through the TikTok API and qualitative content analysis via MAXQDA and Python, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the subculture that accumulates over 2.3 billion interactions. The findings highlight how TikTok serves as a platform for identity construction, cultural resistance, and the redefinition of social norms. Additionally, the study examines how digital platforms mediate intersectional experiences, favouring certain types of content through algorithms, and how participants navigate these opportunities and constraints to express their intersecting identities. The implications for communication strategies, youth policies, educational plans, and research on the commercialization of these subcultures are profound, offering insights into the transformative potential of social media in shaping contemporary cultural and social narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research question: Given the worldwide growth of women's football and its presence on social media, it is essential to explore and understand fan attitudes and culture. Research methods: This article provides the first empirical social media netnography focusing on English women's football teams (Manchester United and Burnley) and international fan views towards women professional players on TikTok. We extend this discussion by utilising a netnography in which researchers immersed themselves for seven months in women's football groups on TikTok to gather and analyse new qualitative data in this context. Results and Findings: We identify the escalation of gender-based violence on social media against women players. Four key themes emerged from the netnography: 1. Sexism: the place of women in football; 2. Misogyny and hatred of women; 3. Sexualisation of women; 4. Demand for a male-only space. Sexist comments were apparent in all of the TikTok posts containing female football players, with some also containing more aggressive misogynistic comments. Other dominant comments sought to reduce women to objects of sexual desire and belittle their professional skills, whereas others were appalled at the presence of female players on the clubs' official accounts, demanding them to be a male-only space. Implications: The study contributes to the understanding of online fan cultures on complex, video-based platforms such as TikTok. Through literature review and netnography, we identified a problem for football clubs on social media of longstanding, problematic issues of toxic fan comments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing awareness of the ubiquity of algorithms online has established a new discursive space for making sense of their role in individuals' lives and society writ large. Within this space, social media users have come to think of algorithms as uniquely powerful forces shaping everyday experiences. This article explores how people make sense of algorithms, as seen through (dis)belief in algorithmic conspirituality, where users ascribe divine significance to algorithmic curation on TikTok. We ask: how do users understand algorithmic conspirituality, and under what circumstances do they believe (or not) in the mystical power of algorithms? Drawing on focus groups and interviews with TikTok users (n = 25), we observed what we call reflexive ambivalence. This refers to a reflexive process in which participants examined their cognitive and affective responses to algorithmic conspirituality videos to untangle seemingly contradictory logical and mystical mentalities. With this insight, we complicate past work by demonstrating the co-occurrence and interdependency of rational, technical vs. affective, socially situated ways of knowing algorithms. We additionally highlight conditions under which belief in algorithmic conspirituality gained plausibility for our participants and how they rationalized the phenomenon as grounded in the worldly realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinx comics creators publish on social media to connect with a global audience and perform digital self-mediation that enhances the self-reflexive themes in their work. Among these creators is Chicana artist, Daisy Ruiz, known as Draizys, whose auto-bio comic Gordita: Built Like This showcases this approach. Its narrative contents, publication trajectory, and digital promotion exemplify how Ruiz as protagonist and author uses digital tools to produce and share her creative work. Her depictions of adolescent internet use, along with the behind-the-scenes content she posts to Instagram and TikTok, underscore how she uses medium-specific affordances to produce sequential autobiographical narratives in her comics and social media posts that, in both content and form, nuance how Latinas are mediated to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During worldwide epidemic of COVID-1, people started to depend on social media apps to cure their boredom. It was beneficial to provide information easily to a wide audience. The increased time people spent on their phones led to many, including teenagers and children, becoming addicted to social media, particularly TikTok. As a result, this usage of TikTok became an epidemic itself. Therefore, in this work, a fractional mathematical model is being developed to analyze the influence of TikTok on human population of different ages. In this paper, two equilibrium points for this model will be discussed and the theoretical stability will be proven. For numerical analysis, fractional Euler’s method will be used and the results will be discussed graphically and which group of population will be affected the most by frequent use of TikTok. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the validity and informational value of the material provided on TikTok regarding frozen shoulders. The hypothesis was that the video content on this platform would not provide adequate and valid information. Methods: The current study focused on frozen shoulder videos on the TikTok social media platform. The terms "frozen shoulder" and/or "adhesive capsulitis" were used as keywords for an extensive online search of video content on TikTok, and the first 100 videos were included. Out-of-topic, non-English, and duplicated videos were excluded from the analysis. The duration and numbers of likes, shares, and views were recorded for each video. Further, videos were categorized based on the source (physiotherapist/osteopath, medical doctor, or private user), type of information (physical therapy, etiopathogenesis, anatomy, clinical examination, patient experience, or symptoms), video content (rehabilitation, education, or patient experience/testimony), and the presence of music or a voice. The assessment of the video content's quality and reliability was performed by two experienced shoulder surgeons using the DISCERN instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Results: A total of 100 videos were included in the analysis, of which 86 (86.0%) were published by physiotherapists/osteopaths. Most of the information and video content focused on physical therapy and rehabilitation (83.0% and 84.0%, respectively). Eighty-four (84.0%) videos included voice comments, while the remaining featured music. The mean number of views was 2,142,215.32 ± 6,148,794.63, while the mean numbers of likes, comments, and shares were 58,438.67 ± 201,863.54, 550.81 ± 1712.22, and 3327.43 ± 7320.81, respectively. The mean video duration was 110.20 ± 116.43 s. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 16.17 ± 2.36, 0.61 ± 0.51, and 1.18 ± 0.41, respectively. Videos posted by medical doctors or private users received higher scores than those posted by physiotherapists/osteopaths (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The educational value of videos published on TikTok was poor; videos posted by medical doctors exhibited better quality and educational value than those of physiotherapists or osteopaths. It is the responsibility of orthopedic surgeons to investigate the potential benefits, consequences, and implications of TikTok video content for the health of frozen shoulder patients and to propose necessary adjustments. Given the rapid growth of TikTok, further research is needed. Level of evidence: Level IV—cross-sectional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social media has become a central part of everyday life, providing spaces for communication, self-expression, and social mobilization. TikTok, specifically, has emerged as a prominent platform for marginalized groups, providing opportunities for activism and representation. However, research falls short in examining the specific role of TikTok for Muslim women in Germany who face intersecting forms of marginalization. This shortcoming reflects a broader lack of research on the experiences of marginalized groups within TikTok's logics and affordances, and what functions the platform fulfills for these communities. Against this backdrop, this study examines TikTok's role as a platform for Muslim female content creators in Germany and its broader implications for marginalized communities. Our research is guided by the following questions: (a) What are the main themes and topics that are being brought forward by Muslim women content creators on TikTok? (b) What technical affordances do they use to communicate their content? (c) What functions does TikTok fulfill for Muslim women as an intersectionally marginalized group?. Methods: We analyze 320 videos from 32 public TikTok accounts identified through snowball sampling. Data collection includes automated web scraping, manual transcription, and qualitative coding. This allows us to identify main topics, video formats, and content types to answer our research questions. Results: Our findings show that Muslim women produce diverse content on TikTok, ranging from beauty and lifestyle to religious education and social justice. They shape the platform's functionalities through creative use, while TikTok's algorithm and virality logic drive creators to blend entertainment with personal content. The hijab emerges as a unique issue, framed within both political and fashion discourses. Overall, TikTok functions as a "third space" where Muslim women challenge mainstream stereotypes and offer alternative interpretations of their identity. While TikTok provides empowerment and visibility, it also exposes Muslim women to hate speech and harassment. The platform provides tools to counter these issues, but the underlying social hierarchies often limit their visibility, making TikTok both a site of empowerment and vulnerability. Discussion: This study highlights the need for further research into the role of social media for marginalized groups, particularly across platforms, gender, and religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the inspiration of self-concept and Information Technology (IT) identity on the behavior of Social Media Influencers (SMI), specifically regarding their utilization of technology features. With the advent of social media, individuals have been presented with a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and connect with a broader audience, known as "followers." Drawing upon the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), this study examines the relationship between SMIs behavior in utilizing technology features, self-concept, and IT identity within the context of social media platform usage. The research methodology employed in this study is partial least squares (PLS) regression, providing a comprehensive understanding of how individuals' self-concept shapes their IT identity concerning the usage of social media platform features. The findings of this study have significant implications for businesses seeking to engage with SMIs and individuals aiming to establish their presence on social media. The research highlights TikTok's potential as a platform for self-expression and personal brand development, underscoring the importance of self-concept and IT identity in the realm of SMIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/Objectives: Individuals are turning increasingly towards online resources, such as TikTok, to educate themselves on their medical conditions. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prominent example, as women report dissatisfaction with the diagnosis process and treatment options. This study aims to provide a content analysis of the quality of PCOS health information on TikTok. Methods: A total of 325 TikTok videos were screened. Pertinent data, including likes, comments, shares, and views, along with video content concerning symptoms, interventions, and provider interactions were analyzed. Two reviewers independently used a modified DISCERN criteria to assess the quality of information for each video. A logistic regression was also utilized to model the probability of healthcare professionals creating educational videos. Results: A total of 238 videos met the eligibility criteria for analysis. Videos had a median of 468,400 views (Q1 = 146,400, Q3 = 1,100,000) and 18,000 likes (Q1 = 5631, Q3 = 65,100). The mean modified DISCERN scores were 3.6 ± 0.9 for physicians (n = 23), 2.0 ± 1.1 for non-physician healthcare providers (n = 52), and 1.0 ± 0.2 for non-healthcare professionals (n = 141) (p < 0.001). Healthcare professionals were 10.9 times more likely to create educational videos in comparison to non-healthcare professionals (p < 0.001). Conclusions: TikTok videos related to PCOS attract considerable engagement but provide low-quality information. Most videos were made by non-healthcare professionals, who discussed treatment options with limited or no research. Healthcare providers should be aware of the impacts on patients' preconceived notions and help to improve patient education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the surge in global consumption of Nigerian music and film, non-African content creators are now part of the emerging group of people participating in the production and circulation of African, specifically Nigerian, popular culture on social media. This article provides a scholarly interrogation of these emerging “transracial” online enactments, with a particular focus on these performers’ use of lip-syncing to audio texts originally created by Nigerian artists. We examine the performances of three Oyibos (light-skinned foreigners) who create short videos on TikTok, arguing that through lip-syncing, each of them becomes part of networked publics built around Nigerian content and facilitated by the social media application TikTok. The article takes an audience-centred approach. Through focus group interviews with potential audiences in Nigeria, we seek to understand the meanings that Nigerian viewers (and potential members of these networked publics) derive from such clips and the transgressive play with difference that they entail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have marked a shift in selling and buying illicit psychoactive drugs from darknet cryptomarkets to publicly accessible social media and messaging platforms. As more users turn to procuring drugs this way, the role of digital harm reduction has become particularly urgent. However, one of the main obstacles complicating the implementation of digital harm reduction is the increasingly automated content moderation by the social media platforms. While some platforms are less restrictive about harm reduction content (e.g., TikTok), others implement higher degrees of moderation, including the removal of individual content and banning of entire profile pages (e.g., Instagram). This article discusses community guidelines of five popular social media and messaging platforms and their content moderation tools. It aims to highlight how these guidelines may be inadvertently curbing the dissemination of harm reduction and health promotion materials, and erroneously interpreting it as a promotion of drug use and sales. The discussion concludes that digital harm reduction requires transdisciplinary collaboration of professional organizations, researchers, and social media platforms to ensure reliable implementation of digital harm reduction, and help build safer digital communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphones and social media have become an integral part of human daily life and they influence mental well-being. These accounts have been researched in the general population, but not in athletes. This is critical given enhanced physical and emotional stressors in athletes versus non-athletes. Therefore, we here studied intra- and interindividual relationships of four social media sites (WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat) with mood, stress, recovery, and sleep using log-based media usage tracking as an objective measure in 53 competitive athletes aged 12–27 years. Multilevel modeling revealed that intraindividual TikTok usage negatively predicted sleep (β = −0.10, p = 0.040) and recovery (β = −0.15, p < 0.002), and positively predicted stress (β = 0.12, p = 0.018). Interindividual Instagram usage predicted feelings of calmness (β = 0.27, p = 0.029) and valence (β = 0.20, p = 0.043). Intriguingly, competition level moderated the usage outcomes of all four apps: Athletes on low performance levels showed lower mental well-being when using social media longer, yet in national and international athletes the strength of these relationships was weaker or even reversed. Our study unravels social media usage associations with mental well-being to vary as a function of performance level and provides findings on intra- and interindividual effects of critical importance to inform future population-tailored and expedient interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a young Black disabled woman's performance practices on TikTok through the lens of critical digital labor studies, disability studies, and Black feminist writings. Starting from the observation that this woman, whom I call Kyla in the paper, deliberately stages her disability – an amputated leg – on TikTok, not least to prove that this can make her an 'influencer,' I analyze how Kyla engages her amputated/prosthetic leg in TikTok dance content, how she navigates the attention she receives in reaction to this, including some people's ableist call for 'story time,' in which she is supposed to tell the story of 'what happened to her leg,' and, finally, how she 'performs back' at her audience, society at large, and TikTok itself through producing performative content that reveals and problematizes what it means for her, as a young Black disabled woman, to produce content on TikTok and live with a disability in the US today. Building upon this analysis, I argue that Kyla's content production practices critically and creatively engage the fine line between the possibility of disability entrepreneurialism and disability resistance on TikTok and thus effectively 'crip' the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual violence is a public health threat in the USA and past research has found that survivors who seek support and disclose their experiences tend to have greater positive outcomes, such as positive life changes, reduced post-traumatic stress disorder, and fewer depressive symptoms. While social media have become an important site of disclosure, over-moderation of sex and sexuality on social media platforms due to the passing of the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act may inadvertently lead to the removal of survivors' posts and hinder their ability to build communities of support. In line with critical discourse analysis, this study examined the discursive strategies utilized in online disclosures made by sexual violence survivors on the social media platform TikTok to determine if they make use of algospeak, a neologism referring to the strategy of misspelling words or using coded language to avoid detection and deletion by site moderators. Analysis of the data indicated that sexual violence survivors do make use of algospeak, as well as direct and indirect language, to share their disclosures, and that, while TikTok claims to provide space for survivors' stories, its guidelines and approach to language about sex and sexuality may create barriers to building supportive communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how different types of user experience in TikTok impact purchase intention via commitment to the influencer and commitment to the platform, with customer type included to determine moderating effects. Three types of user experience are considered: information experience, entertainment experience and parasocial-relationship-based experience. Design/methodology/approach: This study collected 458 valid questionnaires from TikTok users, employing the structural equation modeling approach to examine the proposed research model. Findings: Information experience, entertainment experience and parasocial-relationship-based experience are found to critically stimulate user commitment to the influencer and commitment to the platform, in turn driving TikTok-based purchase intention. Tests incorporating customer type reveal that commitment to the influencer more strongly influences the purchase intention of repeat customers, with commitment to the platform more likely to stimulate purchase intention among potential customers. Research limitations/implications: On a theoretical level, the paper is among the first to examine TikTok-based user purchase intention with customer type as a moderator. On a practical level, the results can guide marketers to effectively promote products using TikTok and inspire TikTok managers to develop customized strategies to stimulate initial and repeat sales. Originality/value: TikTok is moving to the stage of commercialization and monetization by introducing e-commerce features. Although this move should cultivate particularly fertile ground for companies to sell products, TikTok user purchase behavior has yet to receive sufficient research attention, with little currently known about their purchase motivations. The current study uncovers the significant antecedents of users' purchase intention through TikTok, and further reveals the motivational differences among potential and repeat customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The scientific literature reports on how social media potentially influences eating disorders, although there is a large gap in the specific case of TikToks influence of adolescent's recovery from anorexia nervosa (AN). Our study uses in‐depth interviews with female adolescents primarily suffering from AN to explore how they perceive the social media platform TikTok in relation to their recovery. Method: A total of 14 interviews with female adolescents recovering from AN were conducted and analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis. Results: We developed four distinct main themes: social connectivity, algorithmic engagement, regulation and adaptation, and personal agency and recovery pathways. Our findings indicate both potential benefits and harm by TikTok use when in recovery from AN, depending on a complex interplay of individual and contextual factors. Discussion: The study adds nuance to the on‐going scientific debate on the role that TikTok plays in recovery from AN in general from the perspective provided by female adolescents. Suggestions are made for clinical implications at adolescent AN outpatient care including parental or professional support in TikTok adaptations and advice on how to discern when use may be triggering or supportive. Future research would benefit from longitudinal designs and inclusion of how individual differences, such as gender and personality, influence the effects on recovery and TikTok use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a common and serious heterogeneous mental disorder that has a significant health and economic impact on families and society. As the prevalence of schizophrenia increases each year, public awareness of the disorder is growing. However, it remains unclear whether the quality of information presented in these videos is satisfactory. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the quality and content of schizophrenia-related videos on video-sharing platforms is necessary. We screened 123 schizophrenia-related videos from the video-sharing platform TikTok that met the criteria, and evaluated and analyzed them. First, the basic information provided in the videos was recorded and analyzed. The source and content type of each video was then determined. The educational content and quality of all videos were then evaluated using three rating instruments, Modified DISCERN, Global Quality Scale, and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Videos from different sources were also compared to see if they were statistically different in terms of educational content and quality. We identified 4 categories of content for the videos. The science introduction category had the largest number of 50, and the least number of videos was etiology and causation at 15. Six categories of sources of videos were also identified: the for-profit organizations category has the lowest number of 10, the health professionals category has the highest number of 45. There was a significant correlation between video source and duration (P = 0.014). The JAMA score was significantly positively correlated with the number of video likes (r = 0.721, P < 0.001). This study evaluated the content and information quality of 123 videos related to schizophrenia on the video-sharing platform TikTok. The findings indicate that while these videos offer some valuable insights into schizophrenia, the overall quality falls short of satisfactory levels, with inadequate reliability and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's Great Firewall was designed to control information flows to keep citizens in and the wider world out. Consequently, until recently China's economic ascendancy was not mirrored in the global digital economy. However, China's increasing digital footprint and championing of national technology firms present numerous economic and security challenges for the EU and US as the dominant digital powers. This paper investigates how growing perceptions of China-based threats in the digital domain have shaped EU (including Member State-level) and US policies. Two pertinent cases – Huawei (hardware provider) and TikTok (digital platform) – illustrate how threat perceptions have catalysed securitization moves to restrict Chinese firms' roles within national digital economies. Western policymakers are increasingly concerned about China's capacity to weaponize technologically interdependent relationships by exploiting its firms' presence within Western networks. Yet significant differences between EU Member States' perceptions precluded both a uniform EU-level response and more extensive transatlantic cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]