Answer Details

"Trustworthy" in the context of political content on social media is subjective and highly dependent on an individual's own political perspective and media literacy; no single account is universally seen as trustworthy. Instead, users can find value in a variety of accounts, from established news organizations and verified political figures to independent news influencers and non-profit organizations, by engaging with multiple sources and viewpoints. Verified Organizations and Figures Established News Outlets: Many traditional news organizations, such as the BBC News and the Associated Press, have a presence on TikTok, providing news content with established editorial standards. Political Campaigns & Officials: Official accounts for political parties and individual politicians are active on the platform. The Democratic National Convention has even credentialed influencers to cover their events, granting them the same access as traditional media to help reach younger audiences. Examples include individuals like Rep. Jeff Jackson, who used the platform to share updates about his political future. Non-Profit & Civic Engagement Groups: Organizations focused on voter engagement, like Voters of Tomorrow, use TikTok to inform and mobilize young voters. News Influencers Pew Research Center studies show that a significant portion of young Americans (around 39%) get news from news influencers on TikTok. These influencers often have a specific political lean. Left-leaning influencers are slightly more prevalent among news influencers on TikTok than on other platforms. Right-leaning influencers are also highly popular, with examples including accounts promoted by right-wing commentators and outlets. Best Practices for Users Given that misinformation can be prevalent on social media, the most trustworthy approach involves critical consumption of content: Diversify your sources: Follow accounts from across the political spectrum and from different types of organizations (news, government, non-profit, independent) to get a balanced view. Verify information: Do not rely solely on a single TikTok video for facts. Use external, authoritative sources to check claims, especially those that seem extreme or emotionally charged. Understand the algorithm: Be aware that the TikTok algorithm tends to show you content similar to what you already engage with, which can create echo chambers. Intentionally seek out different perspectives to counteract this effect. Be aware of bias: Understand that most political content creators have an inherent bias or agenda. Their content may be designed to persuade rather than provide neutral facts.