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Dissecting one of the most influential platforms of the contemporary social media landscape, TikTok, Boom. (Director's Cut), directed by CODED BIAS filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, examines the algorithmic, socio-political, economic, and cultural influences and impact of the history-making app. This rigorous exploration balances a genuine interest in the TikTok community and its innovative mechanics with a healthy skepticism around the security issues, global political challenges, and racial biases behind the platform. A cast of Gen Z subjects, helmed by influencer Feroza Aziz, remains at its center, making this one of the most needed and empathetic films exploring what it means to be a digital native.
How does a teenage dance app become an issue of national security? TikTok was in federal court Monday, fighting for its survival as a January deadline looms that could put the app out of business in the US.
TikTok, Boom. (Director's Cut) explores how a social media app, best known for videos of teenagers dancing, became the flashpoint of a geopolitical controversy between two superpowers—the US and China—and delves into the security issues behind the platform, such as content moderation and free speech, and its mental health impacts on young people.
Teen activists, influencers, and journalists shed light onto being “shadow banned” on TikTok, a term that references having one’s content shown to fewer users by the algorithm, i.e. being banned on the platform without formal notice. As TikTok eclipses Facebook and Instagram as the most downloaded social media app globally, TikTok, Boom. (Director's Cut) illuminates the causes and impacts of the proposed ban of the app, and the impact it would have had on creators and their careers.
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