With misinformation rampant on the Internet, especially on social media, officials are taking matters into their own hands. In efforts to stop the spread of misinformation and educate the population about the Ukraine war, National Security Council staffers and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki briefed TikTok influencers on Thursday. TikTok has grown to be a widely used app for both silly videos and information by young Americans.
Throughout the pandemic, individuals have used it to not only advocate for political and social engagement but also to spread information on resources available across the country. There has been a shift in how media is consumed, and the youth are driving TikTok.
According to The Washington Post, at least 30 popular TikTok stars came together on a Zoom call to receive key information about the war in Ukraine on Thursday. “National Security Council staffers and White House press secretary Jen Psaki briefed the influencers about the United States’ strategic goals in the region and answered questions on distributing aid to Ukrainians, working with NATO, and how the United States would react to a Russian use of nuclear weapons,” the Post reported.
Partnering with Gen Z For Change, a nonprofit advocacy group, the White House sent invitations to TikTok trending creators who were known to have a heavy influence on the app. According to the Post, the White House had been closely watching TikTok’s rise as a dominant news source, which led them to their decision to hold the briefing. The briefing was led by Matt Miller, a communications adviser on the White House Nationwide Safety Council.
“Those that have viewers can ideally set the tone for the way others determine to evaluate and amplify what they see online,” Jules Terpak, a content material creator said
During the briefing, officials emphasized the importance of having a platform and influence on individuals. Over the years social media has become the news source for many young people. As a result, accuracy is of utmost importance.
In the last few weeks, several posts shared online under the tag of Ukraine were actually photos and video of bombings and violence occurring in other regions, particularly Palestine, or game, film, or TV clips with misleading captions. Additionally, at the peak of the pandemic, many videos on COVID-19 misinformation were spread—emphasizing the need for education and ensuring those with influence were aware.
Advocates for human rights have been working to ensure accuracy in sharing and reporting.
"We recognize this is a critically important avenue in the way the American public is finding out about the latest," White House director of digital strategy Rob Flaherty said according to the Post, "So we wanted to make sure you had the latest information from an authoritative source."
Following the briefing, several social media influencers told the Post they “felt more empowered to debunk misinformation and communicate effectively about the crisis."
This isn’t the first time the Biden administration used TikTok to reach younger audiences and combat misinformation. The administration previously used the platform to encourage younger Americans to get vaccinated.