TikTok’s ‘Ominous Turn’: Anti-Israel Sentiment Surges Among Gen Z
A recent surge in anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses across the U.S. has raised concerns, with social media platforms like TikTok playing a significant role in spreading misinformation and hate speech. Comedian and TikTok star Zach Sage Fox has warned of an “ominous turn” on the platform, which he believes is contributing to the transformation of Gen Z into “Gen Terrorism.”
Misinformation and Hate Speech on TikTok
TikTok has become a major outlet for news and information among young Americans, with 44% of those between 18 and 29 relying on the app for news. However, concerns have been raised over the prevalence of misinformation and hate speech on the platform. Fox notes that 90% of the misinformation he hears from young people comes from TikTok, including rampant Holocaust denialism and support for Osama bin Laden.
Fox’s Visit to Auschwitz and Commitment to Combating Antisemitism
A visit to Auschwitz a few years ago left a lasting impact on Fox, inspiring him to focus his platform on “combat[ing] antisemitism and anti-Israel propaganda.” He believes that the rise of anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses is a disturbing echo of the past and is determined to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.
Government Response and Regulation
As Congress considers legislation to crack down on TikTok, Fox expresses mixed feelings given his success on the platform. However, he ultimately believes that TikTok should be sold to an American company to allow for better regulation and prevent the platform from being used to spread harmful content.
Conclusion
The rise of anti-Israel sentiment among Gen Z and the role of social media platforms like TikTok in spreading misinformation are alarming trends that require attention. Fox’s commitment to combating antisemitism and his call for regulation of TikTok highlight the importance of addressing these issues to protect young people from hateful and dangerous content.
