Growing threat

Recent studies have highlighted the potentially harmful effect which TikTok may have on the youth.

A CNN report cited a study by non-profit Center for Countering Digital Hate which found that it can take less than three minutes after signing up for a TikTok account to see content related to suicide and about five more minutes to find a community promoting eating disorder content.

The report came as US lawmakers are seeking ways to crack down on TikTok over privacy and security concerns, as well as determining whether the app is appropriate for teens. It also came more than a year after executives from social media platforms, including those from TikTok, faced tough questions from lawmakers over how their platforms can direct younger users to harmful content, damaging their mental health and body image, the report noted.

An article on mental health match.com pointed out that the instant gratification and “viral” hit to a TikTok user’s video are what has allowed the app to continue its popularity. In 2023, TikTok’s users numbered 1.9 billion globally.

It explained that teens look to this app as a source of external validation and rely heavily on its use to provide what they believe is total happiness. The article noted how the content teens are consuming every day on TikTok and other social media apps are situations and experiences that are shaping their brains and how they perceive themselves and the world. What is happening over time is that teens are now solely making connections online instead of looking to connect to people in the real world. Participation in dangerous social media challenges, screen time addictions and teens being connected to bullies or predators are what has so many parents bringing their teens to counseling for treatment, it added.

A proposal to ban TikTok in the US has garnered bipartisan support, passed one house of Congress, and looms as an issue in the 2024 presidential election.

Several states have sued TikTok on claims that the application serves users inappropriate content and violates consumer protection laws in its data collection practices.

Some countries that have fully banned TikTok include Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal and Somalia while those with partial bans include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Union, France, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the US.

What about the Philippines?

There is a growing concern that the current and unregulated TikTok model is causing addiction among students and diverting them from basic K-12 public school success, adding to the disastrously low graduation rate. There is even an AI-generated illustration circulating that shows Filipino youth as addicted puppets of TikTok.

Many parents are asking when the administration will confront this crisis. Even global business and educational leaders are worried about TikTok’s seamless integration of purchasing, commerce and financial engagement with its often addictive and distorted entertainment and sensationalist content.

The country’s strongest strategic allies namely the US and Australia already have strong regulation if not in the midst of banning the app and/or its developer, the Chinese firm ByteDance.

President Marcos Jr.’s Washington trip is being hailed as a masterpiece. Unfortunately, there was no definitive Philippine position on the banning or regulation of TikTok and/or its corporate owner. Military personnel are banned from using TikTok amid concerns over its possible use for espionage by China. But what about the rest of the population?

Controversy hounds election

Just recently, the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), the country’s oldest association of golfers and the governing body of golf in the country, elected an illustrious line-up of members of the board of directors and officers during the April 5 election held at the Alabang Country Club.

Unfortunately, a number of its members have raised concerns over the validity and propriety of the recent election.

Several allegations of by-law violations have been lodged against newly elected president Martin Lorenzo, secretary general Bones Floro, and the nomination and election committee (Nomelec), including improper venue, exclusion of proxies and the denial of the right to vote by remote participation.

The Nomelec was accused of improperly invalidating 31 proxies, allowing only 34 members to vote. Members who requested participation via video conferencing due to distance limitations were also denied their right to vote. The complainants said that a formal request for remote participation via Zoom was submitted on April 3 but they did not receive response.

They likewise said that the Nomelec cannot unanimously impose a prescribed proxy form. They cited opinions by the SEC which held that in the absence of a provision in the articles of incorporation or by-laws requiring a particular form for proxy (there is none for NGAP), the board cannot prescribe a form other than as provided for by law.

The aggrieved members asked NGAP’s Nomelec schedule another meeting for elections that would comply with the venue and notice requirements, one that would allow remote communication for those who cannot physically attend, and one that would recognize all proxies that comply with minimum requirements.

NGAP has been hounded by controversies recently, including its decision to replace a local world handicapping system provider with foreign firm Dotgolf as well as the poor performance of the Philippine golf team in the Southeast Asian games and Asian games.

I don’t think that the new members of the board would risk their business and personal reputations for the sake of being elected to a sports association. But if there was something wrong about the way the election was conducted, then this should be rectified.

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