So much sugar content on Tiktok

[Talldaisy]

I dabble in Tiktok from time to time, just to understand what's going on online (have a 13yo DD).

What's surprising me most of all is the amount of content about making/consuming the most insanely sugary foods and drinks constantly, as if this is totally normal? For example, DD loves the ice cream van videos where they load up trays of soft serve ice cream with sherbert and sauces and sweet toppings.

I don't really have a sweet tooth (I'm a cheese and savory snacks person) so don't really have sweets/ice cream very often at all. But is this level of consumption of sweet treats actually normal for most people? Are people really eating pastries, chocolate, ice creams and milkshakes topped with sweets every day? Loads of Tiktokkers seem to be obsessed with those ice cream makers for example - are the majority of people really eating ice cream every day?

I thought you were going to be talking about kids being groomed by 'sugar daddies' on TikTok. So ice cream is a welcome alternative.

You must know that of course "the majority" of people don't eat ice cream every day. Why would you believe that based on some TikTok crap?

I'm on tiktok and don't see any sugar/ice cream/ food related videos at all. I see outdoor activity ones. It shows you things related to what you look for.

Please point me in the direction of the sugary drinks.

Full sugar drinks are all but impossible to find nowadays

You don't understand how the tiktok algorithm works. Your kid watches videos of people making sugary foods so the app shows them more of the same. I'm on Tiktok all the time and I've never seen such a video. I doubt the content creators actually eat the stuff they make in the videos, it's just nonsense content for views (views = revenue).

@HazelLion I work in AI lol.

I get videos on how to make Starbucks drinks at home and have seen an ice cream van videos too.

I don’t understand why you think those people eat sweet stuff daily? I mean the average ice cream van must serve dozens of people a day so one day of trading leads to dozens of videos. If they are released say 3 a day then the ice cream van owner can relax at home when they have their day off.

I’ve seen bakers videos too. By baker I mean people who own professional bakery businesses. Good on them for promoting their business online.

If you haven’t got more advanced critical thinking skills than a 13-year-old, then I’m not sure you’ll be much use at keeping an eye on your DD’s TikTok.

It's the algorithm. If you linger on a video, save it or comment you will see more of that kind of content.

Either refresh your for you page or immediately scroll when you see one of those vids.

Also please constantly tell your DD that most of the videos she sees and loves are completely fake, either they are paid by the ice cream man to
Do loads of viral videos to get him more exposure and customers

And if they're not being paid then the ice cream is going straight into the bin.

Lots of content creators when they do vids about eating they either deliberately wear the same outfit
So 4/5 days of eating massive meals once a day looks like it's in 1 day or they will take 4/5 outfits to make content in 1 day but it looks like a 5 day trip to disney.

Also you never see them swallow or if they're making crazy drinks they only do a sip with a straw and go 'OMG GUYS THIS IS INSANELY GOOD' but they never eat it

It's all fake and it's all aimed at kids and it's so wrong!

I think there's an element of rage baiting.

I'm not on TikTok but I've seen reels on instagram of people making overly decadent cakes and desserts consisting of an insane amount of sugar.

When you go to the comments, the vast majority are something like "I got diabetes just watching this video".

Making a simple cake is not enough for views and engagement. Presenting something that's outrageously sugar filled gets people commenting, which boosts engagement which boosts the video in the algorithm.

In short, content creators are ridiculous and extreme on purpose to get people riled up to get them commenting.

Do you really not have the common sense to realise that people post whatever gets them the most views?

Ice creams with sweets and sauces and cakes can be made to look appealing and colourful and attractive - which makes them money and gets them more business.

Nobody is going to be interested in someone buying a 99 with a flake 😂

Sorry I think the point of my post has been missed. Maybe I didn't explain it v well.

I'm aware of the algorithm. I actually work in an AI field. What I'm saying is there's just so much of this content, where people are gorging themselves on excessively sugary desserts and it seems like a regular, every day thing for them? Just wondered if most people tend to have sugary desserts daily or most days.

TikTok is the perfect tool to destabilise a generation. Glamourising poor eating habits is akin to pro smoking clips if truth be told- some of the content being viewed by kids and teens is going to have severe repercussions in the next few years.

But the answer is the same- they're doing it for the engagement.

Just because it seems like they're eating that way every day doesn't mean they are. Many foodie content creators make multiple tiktoks/reels in a day, and then post it everyday. A lot of the food probably gets thrown in the bin (I expect there's a LOT of food waste on the foodie side of tiktok and insta).

I expect none of them are really eating like that, but they're excessive because that's what gets views and engagement.

So what are you confused about then?

I dont think the point of your post has been missed. These videos are just content. The people in them aren't eating like that every day, nor are the people watching them. The majority of the food in these videos is wasted. It is just an attention grabber and once you've looked at a couple you will see more and more.

Sweet toothed people will vary in the consumption of things such as ice cream. Some will have some every day, others once a week.
Just the same as some will have cheese every day and others once a week
Perhaps step away from the AI and use your own intelligence

It's TikTok. It's a content machine. It's not real.

People aren't posting what they eat. They are creating dumb content.

There's a lot of this kind of content because it gets views and makes money. Most of it isn't actually stuff that businesses sell, it's just a marketing gimmick.