one of my friends is very vulnerable and the tiktok algorithm learned to show them only the most awful, terrible and manipulative content because they would be scared and shamed into interacting. it preyed on their worst fears and insecurities, it was absolutely horrible for their mental health. I've always hated tiktok, along with all short-form / portrait-orientation video platforms, basically except for the original Vine. they're awful, they perform some of the worst and most egregious abuse, but I've yet to see a single convincing explanation of why that is, other than theories about mental health and attention. I wish there were something concrete to prove how terrible it is. feels like gaslighting, no one believes you.