Problematic On TikTok

Problematic on TikTok is a weekly column breaking down the trends on the popular app that will make you cringe. It runs on Tuesdays in the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter. If you want to read this column before everyone else, sign up for the newsletter here.

Chelsea Blackwell

Stop editing Chelsea Blackwell to look like Megan Fox

Many think that editing Blackwell or suggesting how she can modify her body to look more like Fox is too far.

On Mar 6, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

ThatGlowUpGal is offering makeover advice without consent

A TikToker is pushing makeover advice on people who haven’t asked for it

The account has come under fire after being exposed by another TikToker.

On Feb 28, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Dave Chapelle

A sexist Dave Chappelle audio clip is gaining steam on TikTok

The context of the clip is much darker than the more or less trivial situations for which TikTokers are using it.

On Feb 21, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Ai oil painting

Unsurprisingly, TikTok’s AI Oil Painting filter is white-washing users

When will TikTok harness CapCut and put an end to these racist AI filters?

On Feb 14, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

'How I Would Look Fitness' filter

TikTok’s latest A.I. fail is a ‘If I Were Fitness’ filter

The harms of A.I. filters and image doctoring are numerous.

On Feb 7, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

legging legs

‘Legging legs’ takes over TikTok

'Legging legs' has been deemed the new thigh gap, and many are saying it’s equally as problematic.

On Jan 31, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Hot sauce trend

Men are weaponizing incompetence on TikTok and can’t clean up hot sauce

Once you become familiar with it, you start seeing it everywhere.

On Jan 24, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Magic finds at Goodwill bins

Are TikTokers lying about finding designer items at Goodwill?

Some TikTokers think that viral serendipitous thrift finds for cheap are being faked.

On Jan 17, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

woman with 'mental health filter' and caption 'why would they make a mental health filter'

Why a TikTok filter telling people what mental health diagnosis they look like bolsters stigmas

A TikTok effect cannot diagnose users with a mental health disorder, but it also shouldn’t imply that mental health diagnoses have a specific “look.”

On Jan 10, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

The 10 worst TikTok trends of 2023

From filming people with dementia to discriminatory AI filters, there were a lot of problematic trends on TikTok in 2023.

On Dec 27, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Tate McRae

Tate McRae’s facing consequences for singing and dancing at the same time

Should McRae dial down her choreography? Maybe. But should the internet give her a break? Absolutely.

On Dec 20, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Whitewashing AI filter

TikTok’s ‘AI Outpainting’ filter is whitewashing people

TikTokers have been uploading images of their eyes and asking the filter to create what it thinks the rest of their face might look like.

On Dec 13, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Is Xiao Xiao (@ChineseJunkFood2023) okay?

What’s going on with Xiao Xiao, the woman posted on the account @ChineseJunkFood2023?

Xiao Xiao’s situation is certainly is resulting in a lot of ableism.

On Dec 6, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

pretty girls don't judge

Women are clapping back at a mean girl trend on TikTok

This trend is a mess and the way that people on TikTok have tried to legislate it hasn’t redeemed it.

On Nov 29, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

TikTok singers autotune

Those impressive TikTok singing videos might not be for real

Anyone can use tuning software.

On Nov 22, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins