Every generation has some product/ingredient that they didn’t know was dangerous at the time: tobacco, lead, asbestos, etc. What is that item for this generation?
You said product, and I mean this legitimately. Not because of meme hate or hating on what is trendy, but because it is and has been a tool of the CCP. This isn't really in question, and it was one of the first large platforms to entirely erase the idea of a timeline and fully devote itself only to a algorithm feed. One that bytedance has put their finger on the scales of many times.
The effect this has is hard to quantify, but the postmortem on it is going to be incredible as we unpack exactly how much this influenced the trends and politics among zoomers, and to what extent.
every social/digital media platform is leveraged for spying and propaganda. if you didn't want to be spied on you'd throw your whole damn phone away. it's just the way shit is now. either accept that reality, ignore it, or become a hermit.
I don't think using the term "free speech" in this context is correct since free speech doesn't extend to whether an app or website deletes your comments. Free speech just means the government won't reprimand you.
Tiktok definitely takes things down, and I'd say that algorithm has done more harm than good in how fast it radicalizes people.
The fact that you assume that the reason I used that word is because they disagree with me tells me you arent coming into this discussion with respect, so I'm going to have to-respectfully-decline to elaborate as I'd rather not get into the nuance of this topic with someone who evidently already has their mind made up.