Eskridge told The Post that she believes only “1%” of trans-identifying teens on TikTok are actually transgender. “I notice that the demographic it most affects is teen girls around 12 to 14, as they’re the most vulnerable since they aren’t matured yet,” she continued, noting that most trans folks in her age demographic would likely disagree. “Being transgender is definitely a TikTok trend that all began around 2020,” she told The Post of the apparent social media wave. In Eskridge’s case, she said the videos on her timeline “brainwashed” her into transitioning. Meanwhile, The Post’s March 2023 undercover investigation of the app also found that it directed harmfully persuasive visuals to teens. In December 2022, the Center for Countering Digital Hate also determined that TikTok’s algorithm funnels mentally and emotionally damaging content - such as suicide and eating disorders - to adolescents within minutes of creating a profile. When the voice started dropping, it made me feel uncomfortable, and the body hair felt really gross.’ Ash Eskridge, 16, on feeling ‘unnatural’ during her transition It was just after the pandemic that the Gen Zer joined the crowd: As part of what’s been dubbed “Generation COVID,” Ash spent the majority of her recreational hours scrolling through social media, where viral hashtags such as #transgender and #trans have amassed a staggering 21.5 billion and 59.6 billion views, respectively.Īccording to 2022 Pew Research Center research, TikTok has a massive impact on up to 67% of teens 13 to 17. A 2021 study on its sway, conducted by the Shanghai United International School in China, found that the digital space contains “over-exaggeration content that shapes teenager’s value in a misleading way.” Ash Eskridge believes TikTok deceived her into identifying as transgender. “I was struggling and wanted it to save my life, too,” she told South West News Service. “I saw TikTok videos by influencers saying how that transitioning saved their life,” said Eskridge, now 16, from Missoula, Montana.Īfter becoming depressed at 12, she leaned on the virtual platform as an emotional crutch. The brunette told The Post that trendsetters on the popular app wrongfully convinced her that she was transgender. I needed eye surgery after trying a popular beauty hack: ‘Be more aware’Īt age 13, Ash Eskridge was severely under the influence, but not of drugs or alcohol - of TikTok. Gen Z flocks to eat bizarre, weeks-old ‘medieval’ stew I took fistfuls of anti-aging supplements to be forever young - it made me sick TikTok mom who filmed heartbreaking cancer battle dead at 30
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