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.

TikTok's AI Studio Photo filter

TikTok’s AI studio photo filter is lightening skin and making people look thinner

The racist and fatphobic biases of artificial intelligence are on full display in the latest AI-based filter going viral on TikTok.

On Nov 15, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Three screenshots of a man speaking to the camera. The text on it says 'women aren't meant to work corporate jobs.'

This TikToker thinks women shouldn’t work corporate jobs. Here’s why he’s wrong

A viral video is getting a ton of criticism.

On Nov 8, 2023 by Kris Seavers

person on stool (l&r) man in bed (c)

TikTok’s ‘Soft White Underbelly’ is being called ‘exploitative’

The account was called 'one of the most problematic channels on the internet.'

On Nov 1, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

young man in window (l) young man making air quotes with caption 'cringe content' (c) young woman screaming (r)

TikTok trolls are using “cringe” to cover up their transphobia

Examine the types of people you consider cringe.

On Oct 25, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

body-shaming jorja smith

TikTok is ruthlessly body-shaming a singer who gained weight

Body-shaming is completely unacceptable.

On Oct 18, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

TikTok's AI Meme Maker is fatphobic

TikTok’s AI Meme Maker is fatphobic

TikTok’s AI Meme Maker filter is biased against is fat people.

On Oct 11, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Blonde woman shares what blue collar men do

The wives of blue collar men are revealing too much

These blue collar wives are martyrizing themselves for putting up with bad treatment from their husbands… for what?

On Sep 27, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Worst possible situation: skinnyfat

Being ‘skinnyfat’ is not the worst possible situation to be in

A video saying being 'skinnyfat' is the 'worst possible situation to be in' is getting mocked online.

On Sep 20, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

weird video about autism

TikTok makes you think that autism is a quirky personality trait—it’s not

Many people with autism have taken offense at a creator's use of the phrase 'a sprinkle of the ‘tism.'

On Sep 13, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

TikToks of Alzheimer's

Is it fair to film people with dementia and put it on TikTok?

Some find the filming and monetizing a person with dementia morally wrong.

On Aug 30, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Boy moms are doing their own #teachingoursons videos

Boy moms have taken an empowering trend and used it to disparage women

Unfortunately, some boy moms have taken a positive trend in a negative direction.

On Aug 23, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Nutrition Facts on Crumbl Cookies

Please stop posting about the calories in Crumbl cookies

Food guilt and feeling the need to earn food via exercise are trademark signs of disordered eating.

On Aug 16, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

'debate me' tiktok lane

Who benefits from ‘debate me’ TikTok lives?

What ends up happening is streaming hosts attract people with severely transphobic beliefs and give them a platform to spew hate.

On Aug 9, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

Spongebob Squarepants

Why the new ‘Spongebob’ TikTok trend is transphobic

The 'man in a dress' trope is harmful because it turns the existence of trans people, especially trans women, into a joke.

On Aug 2, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins

TikTok's 'aging' filter

TikTok’s ‘aged’ filter has taken over the app

TikTok has always been obsessed with aging.

On Jul 26, 2023 by Tricia Crimmins