TikTok Echo Chambers: Political Polarization on the Rise

Tucson (US), Jun 27 (The Conversation) – A recent study reveals that TikTok users predominantly follow accounts that echo their political views, creating echo chambers within the platform. Researchers Yanlin Li, Homero Gil de Zúñiga, and their team published these findings in the journal New Media & Society, highlighting that individuals generally engage with content that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs.

The study examined TikTok's political network structures, discovering that right-leaning communities are notably more secluded from other political groups and mainstream news sources compared to left-leaning circles. Within these right-leaning networks, connections are more robust, whereas liberal users exhibit a tendency to follow a more diverse range of accounts, even those that present differing viewpoints.**

Drawing from an extensive dataset of over 16 million TikTok videos and more than 160,000 public accounts between 2019 and 2023, researchers observed a surge in political content during the 2020 US presidential election.

Importantly, TikTok users are not just passive observers; they are active creators of political content. Users with strong political convictions and those who receive more likes and comments are particularly motivated to continue posting.

This phenomenon underscores the influence of partisanship and TikTok's social reward system. Engagement indicators such as likes, shares, and comments fuel users' motivation to produce more content.

**Significance** Almost 40% of US adults under 30 regularly receive news from TikTok, according to a Pew Research Centre survey. This raises questions about the type of news they consume and its impact on their political engagement.

TikTok predominantly features news from creators, influencers, or digital-native media, leaving the quality of information uncertain. Without balanced, factual content, users may find it challenging to make informed political decisions.

Amid discussions on potentially banning TikTok, the study illustrates its dual role in political communication. While it enables political participation, an insular user network could reinforce echo chambers and intensify political polarization.

Exposure to one-sided messages may increase hostility toward opposing groups, and reliance on TikTok for political news might entrench political views and exacerbate polarization over time.

**Further Research** Echo chambers have been extensively studied on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, but research on TikTok is emerging. TikTok's unique format and algorithmic curation merit further examination of its role in news production, political messaging, and social movements.

**Future Directions** In 2024, both the Biden/Harris and Trump campaigns joined TikTok to connect with young voters. The research team is currently analyzing potential shifts in political communication dynamics during the 2024 election. Future studies could experimentally assess the influence of campaign videos on voters' perceptions and behaviors. (The Conversation) PY

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