In the vast realm of social media memories, some events simply refuse to fade into oblivion. The TikTok December 22 incident etched itself into the platform’s history as a day of unexpected turmoil on the platform.
If you’re among the curious few who still remember the drama that unfolded, consider yourself in for a digital throwback, as we revisit the details of what transpired.
@noahglenncarter December 22nd will be remembered in Tik tok history #foryou #december22 #slideshow
What actually is the TikTok December 22 incident?
The date in question saw a rather peculiar turn of events on TikTok. A cluster of eagle-eyed users spotted something awry in the normally mundane world of slideshows on the platform – NSFW content making an uninvited appearance.
Noah Glenn Carter took to video to shed light on why this particular date has etched itself as the “most infamous day in TikTok history.”
“On that day, many TikTok users found out they could post [adult content] if they posted [it] using TikTok’s slideshow effect,” he said. “The [adult content] went mega, mega, viral,” he continued.
“For some reason, TikTok’s algorithm started recommending it to everyone on the app, and videos that were just straight [adult content] were getting millions upon millions of views and many of them weren’t even getting taken down.”
According to the Know Your Meme database, a slew of slideshow videos featuring explicit and nude content, notably including hentai imagery, started circulating on December 22, 2022. This continued until their eventual removal by December 25.
This, undoubtedly, caught many off guard, given TikTok’s stringent content policies. The platform, which usually maintains a watchful eye over such matters, seemed to have momentarily loosened its reins. Speculation ran rife, with some suggesting that the glitch might have been a result of the engineers taking a Christmas hiatus.
Interestingly, the TikTok overlords themselves remained tight-lipped about the entire debacle. The offending posts eventually vanished from the app, but the collective memory of that day’s digital hiccup remains alive among the app’s users.
Not the first brush with NSFW content
The plot thickens as we consider the broader context. TikTok has found itself ensnared in more than one brush with NSFW content recently. The ‘Pokémon 777’ filter, infamous for its risqué Gardevoir content, shot up in popularity not too long ago. Prior to that, a Hello Kitty filter attracted attention for similarly eyebrow-raising reasons. This raised concerns, especially given TikTok’s young user base, prompting criticisms about the platform’s oversight.
Mercifully, both of these eyebrow-raising episodes were swiftly quelled, with the content in question being promptly taken down.
Navigating the reporting systems
As social media continues to be a melting pot for individuals of all ages, the importance of maintaining a safe digital environment is paramount. Should you encounter content that seems inappropriate such as the TikTok December 22 incident or flouts the platform’s guidelines, here’s how you can take action:
For Twitter:
- Locate the tweet to report.
- Tap the icon at the tweet’s top.
- Opt for “Report Tweet.”
For Facebook:
- Find the post to report.
- Tap the upper-right icon.
- Choose “Find Support or Report Post.”
- Select the option that matches the violation.
- Click “Submit.”
For Instagram:
- Click the three dots at the post’s top right.
- Choose “Report.”
- Follow the steps to report appropriately.
For TikTok:
- Pick the video to report.
- Click the bottom-right arrow.
- Opt for “Report.”
- Choose “Misleading” as the category.
- Hit “Submit.”
The TikTok December 22 incident, might be shrouded in digital mystery, but it reminds us of the evolving landscape of social media. With each incident, the digital universe adapts, ensuring safer spaces for its diverse inhabitants. Remember, you too can play your part by promptly reporting any content that strays from the path of online decorum.
Featured image credit: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash
