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Just recently, TikTok Philippines held a digital literacy forum entitled #FlexTheTruth Digital Literacy Forum: A Panel Discussion by TikTok Philippines Addressing Disinformation and Digital Behavior. This supports the leading short-form video platform’s advocacy for truth-telling in online media and efforts to promote TikTok as a trusted and credible platform for self-expression, connection, and entertainment. This is one of TikTok’s initiatives to create safe and credible spaces for responsible, creative, and authentic interactions.
Panelists included in the event are Professor of Journalism at the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines-Diliman and coordinator for Tsek.Ph Dr. Rachel E. Khan; columnist for the Manila Times and active social media content creator advocating #FactsFirstPH Noemi Dado; Registered Psychometrician and EduCreator Lyqa Maravilla; and veteran journalist, programme host on GMA News and Public Affairs Malou Mangahas, who were joined by TikTok Philippines Head of Public Policy Kristoffer Rada during the discussion. The said forum was hosted by TV personality Paolo Abrera.
Digital literacy refers to a particular set of competencies that allow you to function and participate fully in a digital world. According to Rada, it is the ability to use technology to find information, evaluate sources, create truthful content, and communicate with others effectively.
During the discussions, content creators were encouraged to be critical about information they convey on social media and on the Internet. Khan said that part of digital literacy is for people to understand how a platform works, so they don’t get fooled by it when there are bad actors who want to use it in a negative way.
As commitment to online user safety and education, TikTok’s Digital Literacy Hub is a one-stop portal of resources for driving safer online experiences for everyone. There are topics that promote mental wellbeing, cyber wellness, minor safety, potentially dangerous online challenges, and other digital literacy topics. TikTok’s Digital Literacy Hub also provides tools that will help users to identify and report inappropriate materials, platforms that spread false information and fake news.
Meanwhile, Dado and Maravilla discussed about creativity in content creation and the importance of community. According to Dado, creatively crafted content is key to virality in social media. Maravilla, on the other hand, pointed out that once a content creators has built their community, community members will be the ones to actively share their content, participate and even defend content creators when people are going after them.
Thus, the TikTok Community Guidelines are an important code of conduct that provides a safe and welcoming space for everyone. TikTok believes that a safe environment helps everyone do so openly, prioritizing safety, diversity, inclusion, and authenticity. It aims to cultivate an environment for genuine interactions by encouraging authentic content on TikTok. TikTok also updates their Community Guidelines from time to time to evolve alongside trends, as part of their commitment to keeping TikTok a safe place for creativity and joy.
In connection, Mangahas reiterated that trust should be built around that community.
And to keep their community safe and creative, TikTok also has a dedicated Trust and Safety team that leads on-platform content moderation and ensures adherence to their Community Guidelines. It has also partnered with some leading news agencies to help verify harmful misinformation so that it can be removed from their platform.
