For the past month or so, my TikTok For You Page (FYP) has been an absolute joy. Following the brief but impactful U.S. ban on TikTok—which lasted around 12 hours—the algorithm seemed to shift in a way that completely transformed my experience. For the first time in years, my feed was flooded with positivity, creativity, self-improvement content, and an all-round pleasant atmosphere. European and Commonwealth creators took centre stage, and the difference was striking. Gone were the endless rants and repetitive negativity, replaced by refreshing perspectives and genuine engagement.
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However, as of yesterday, I noticed a change. American creators have started creeping back onto my feed, and with them, the all-too-familiar wave of moaning, whining, and general dissatisfaction. My FYP is once again filled with complaints about every other country, grievances about life in general, and the same tired narratives being rehashed by different faces. It’s as if TikTok has reset itself back to the way it was before the U.S. ban—an endless cycle of negativity and performative outrage.

This shift has made me realise just how much TikTok needs a feature that allows users to select which regions they want to see content from. The current algorithm simply doesn’t work in a way that fosters a diverse and enjoyable experience. It prioritises engagement, which means that when Americans complain about something, they receive hundreds of thousands of views and comments from fellow Americans agreeing with them. This signals to TikTok that the content is popular and should be pushed globally. The result? Users outside of the U.S. are inundated with repetitive, unoriginal content that contributes nothing of value.

Social media is supposed to be fun, light-hearted, and engaging. But how can you engage with content that is so painfully uneducated and derivative? It’s the same complaints, the same grievances, the same tired discourse, recycled over and over again with a different face behind the camera. It’s exhausting. The U.S. TikTok sphere seems to thrive on negativity, and it’s suffocating any attempt to create an enjoyable online space.

At this point, the U.S. really needs to lighten up. Whining isn’t content. I repeat: whining isn’t content.

In recent times, the United Kingdom has found itself embroiled in a heated debate surrounding the ongoing pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests. These demonstrations, which have swept across the nation, have ignited strong emotions and divided opinions among the British populace.
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For many, the sight of such fervent protests on British soil may seem perplexing. After all, the conflict between Palestine and Israel is geographically distant from the shores of the UK. So why the uproar here?

At the heart of the matter lies the undeniable reality that the issues at hand resonate deeply with various communities within the UK. Britain is home to a diverse tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs, many of which have historical or familial ties to the Middle East. As such, events unfolding in that region often reverberate within British communities, sparking impassioned responses and calls for solidarity.

However, amidst the passionate displays of support for either side, there is a growing sentiment among British nationals that the constant coverage of these protests in the news is unwarranted. Many feel that these issues are not inherently British problems and should not dominate the national discourse to the extent that they do.

Some argue that the saturation of news coverage on these protests detracts attention from pressing domestic issues that directly impact British citizens. Moreover, there is frustration among certain segments of the population who believe that the protests serve to amplify divisions within British society rather than fostering unity.

Furthermore, there is the contentious issue of immigration, which some believe is intertwined with the protests. The presence of individuals with differing views on the conflict has led to debates over the integration of immigrant communities into British society. Some argue that these protests highlight a disconnect between the values of certain groups and those of native British citizens.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognise that the right to protest is a fundamental aspect of democracy, regardless of one's background or beliefs. In a multicultural society like the UK, differing perspectives are inevitable, and the freedom to express them is paramount.
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While it is understandable that some may find the prominence of these protests in British news unsettling, it is essential to approach the issue with nuance and empathy. Rather than dismissing the protests outright, perhaps there is an opportunity for dialogue and understanding, fostering greater unity within our diverse society.