TikTok, the aggravated yet wildly popular social media platform that Donald Trump tried to ban in the US, is a plethora of subculture mixed with youth trends, seemingly brilliant most of the times but somewhat of dubious nature when it comes to cultural sensitivity.
Due to its powerful platform, especially among the youths, there has been worrisome eyes following their trends. And this time around, it was the Holocaust Memorial who took a firm stance in one of the most bizarre social media trends ever: The Holocaust victim trend. The museum has gone outright to say that these related videos are “hurtful and offensive.”
The museum tweeted a statement, as some users were seen wearing striped uniforms reminding those who watch of concentration camp prisoners, or Star of David armbands.
“The ‘victims’ trend on TikTok can be hurtful & offensive. Some videos are dangerously close or already beyond the border of trivialization of history,” tweeted the Auschwitz Memorial. “But we should discuss this not to shame & attack young people whose motivation seem very diverse. It’s an educational challenge,” added the organization.
“We have to be very careful in this discussion because the language used — also very often in social media — seems to carry lots of emotions, sometimes very strong,” reads the statement, again expressly stating clearly that “vilifying” those involved in the trend is a no.
Social media is “part of our everyday lives and communication,” the statement said, ending the words with how educators should be mindful of their subjects and pupils in these fast-changing times. “Educators should work with young people to present the facts and stories but also teach and discuss how to commemorate in a meaningful and respectful way.
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The museum went on to criticize that the social media instigates crises and responses, including algorithms allegedly “promoting” anti-Semitism, and platforms that exist which allows Holocaust denial to be made into a viable content and a content theory to the youngsters.
TikTok is yet to respond specifically to this issue, but they did post on their blog on August 20 that it takes a “proactive approach to stopping the spread of hate and known hate and violent extremist groups.
” The company has a “zero tolerance stance” on anti-Semitism and will eradicate and monitor “race-based harassment and the denial of violent tragedies, such as the Holocaust,” it said.
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