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It is known that video content involving flashing lights and colors (photosensitive content) can trigger seizures.
As social platforms, such as TikTok, send content to users via an algorithm, it can become impossible for users to avoid such content in their feeds. Unless the algorithm itself is trained to filter them for the right users.
A new feature
TikTok said they want to make the platform “accessible to all”.
Over the past few months, TikTok has been working with epilepsy professionals who have shared feedback on how to improve the platform.
In the coming weeks, the platform will launch a new feature to protect people from photosensitive content. The new feature will allow viewers who come across a photosensitive video to receive a notification inviting them to “Skip All” future photosensitive videos.
They also warn creators if their uploads contain effects that could trigger seizures.
TikTok said they want to make the platform “accessible to all”. It is the first platform to take a step to help people suffering from epilepsy avoid potentially dangerous content.
Epilepsy Society
It is extremely encouraging to see a platform with such a significant following as TikTok introducing algorithms to detect photosensitive content.
The Epilepsy Society in the UK previously raised concerns with TikTok about malicious content, after being warned of video strobe filters and crisis challenge trends.
The challenge encouraged young people to mimic the effects of a camera attack, in the song Lucid Dreams, by rapper Juice WRLD, who died following an attack last year.
The trend has been heavily condemned by epilepsy organizations. It has been described as highly offensive.
“It is extremely encouraging to see a platform with such a significant following as TikTok introducing algorithms to detect photosensitive content and protect people with epilepsy.” said Nicola Swanborough, head of foreign affairs for the Epilepsy Society.
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