In this episode of Law with Mr. Lafayette, Street & Practical Law instructor René Lafayette proceeds to describe a recent Wall Street Journal investigation into social media megastar TikTok. In light of the phenomenal popularity of the social media app, with 1 billion users a month, WSJ discovered hundreds of videos about drug use, eating disorders and pornography sent to WSJ bots programmed to represent 13-15 year olds. Meanwhile, TikTok is gathering information from its viewers, often with neither their knowledge or consent. The addictive nature of TikTok has left teenagers and adults alike mesmerized and otherwise occupied with watching videos to the point of distraction. Interpersonal relationships, life events, and developing an appreciation of nature all suffer. There is no federal law regulating foreign owned technology companies, neither does Massachusetts have legislation safeguarding privacy of technology users. This poses a threat to our freedoms, all in the name of free speech.
