Andrew Selepak Comments on TikTok and the Dangers of Social Media

Andrew Selepak, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Media Production, Management, and Technology instructional assistant professor, is quoted in “TikTok Mostly Passive Consumption Platform Dominated By Active Posters, Study Shows” posted on cbs12.com on Feb. 23.

The story focuses on a TikTok study indicating that the top 25% most active users generate 98% of all publicly accessible videos. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of adult TikTok users never create any content for the platform.

“For the majority of users, TikTok is sort of passive entertainment consumption,” said Selepak.  “In some ways, there was probably nothing that helped TikTok more than COVID. The video creation involved with TikTok posting might turn off a lot of people. Some might even be intimidated by the process.”

Selepak was also featured on “The Legal Action Against Social Media Companies has Merit” posted on cnbc.com on Feb. 15.

CNBC’s Julia Boorstin joined Big Technology founder Alex Kantrowitz and Selepak for a “Power Lunch” segment to discuss lawsuits against the various social media apps.

According to Selepak, Florida is passing legislation to keep kids from accessing social media because it can be damaging to young people.

“If the state can educate people about the dangers of social media use, it can have an actual real effect on young people. They are using social media and it’s hard to keep them off devices,” Selepak said.

He adds, “Big Tech wants them in the pipeline early so they will be lifelong sustainers. Young people are the tastemakers of social media.”

Posted: March 5, 2024
Category: Alumni News, College News
Tagged as: Andrew Selepak, CNBC, MPMT, Social Media