Take Control of Your TikTok: Auditing Radicalization on TikTok

Social media platforms play an increasingly important role in how young people discover information, form opinions and spend their time online. Their recommendation algorithms decide which videos users see next, yet these systems largely remain a black box. The project “Take Control of Your TikTok” will investigate how different interactions with the TikTok’s platform, such as bookmark or not interested button, can influence young people’s exposure to radicalizing content — and whether users can effectively remove the undesired radicalisation content from their feeds.

KInIT will use algorithmic auditing to study TikTok under controlled conditions. Researchers will create simulated profiles based on the characteristics and online behaviour of real young people aged 16–20 and systematically interact with the platform. The audit will examine what happens when users engage with radicalizing content (e.g., by bookmarking it) and whether different actions, such as removing existing bookmarks or indicating that they are not interested can help reduce further exposure.

The project will provide new empirical evidence about how recommendation algorithms respond to young users’ behaviour and which interactions may contribute to or reduce exposure to radicalizing content. The findings will be translated into practical recommendations for young people, parents, teachers, organisations working with youth and policymakers, helping them better understand the risks of algorithmic recommendations and identify ways to make online environments safer.