The article discusses the claim made by Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley stating that watching TikTok videos leads to a 17% increase in antisemitism every 30 minutes. This has led to some skepticism and ridicule on social media. Haley’s assertion was presented as part of her argument to ban TikTok, which is supported by many in her party. However, online responses question the validity of Haley’s claim. For example, one user joked about becoming “238% antisemitic” after watching TikTok for a few hours.
The article delves into a survey suggesting that TikTok is a significant driver of a surge in antisemitism. It reports that spending at least 30 minutes a day on TikTok increases the chances of holding antisemitic or anti-Israel views by 17%. However, it is noted that this does not mean an individual becomes increasingly antisemitic as they watch videos.
Furthermore, the article highlights criticism of TikTok due to its ownership by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, as it exposes millions of American users to data collection by the CCP. The GOP’s push to ban TikTok has been met with opposition from some Squad Democrats. Representative Jamaal Bowman has labeled any criticism of the platform as “racist” and “xenophobic.”
Overall, the article presents a contradictory view of Haley’s sensational claim about TikTok, weighing the concerns about antisemitism and data collection against the backlash from Democrats and social media users.
