Young people are learning about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on TikTok, and experts are stepping in to make sure they’re properly informed.

Young people are learning about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on TikTok, and experts are stepping in to make sure they’re properly informed. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to unfold, TikTok has become a hub of information for helping young people understand the history behind the conflict. A.B. Burns-Tucker (@iamlegallyhype) and Myca Hinton (@mycahinton) are two TikTok creators with a passion for news / law who are accurately educating TikTokers about everything that’s unfolding in Ukraine. Their videos about the war have garnered thousands of views, educating users on everything from the background of the conflict, how World War II plays into it, and timely updates as the situation progresses. Gen Z for Change is another popular (and accurate) source of information for young people on the app. According to the organization’s deputy executive director and content manager, “The reality is that young people don’t watch the news the way older Americans do…What they do watch is TikTok. [We] figured out a way to deliver important information in a way that keeps young people watching, informed, and engaged.” Still, like most social platforms in times of political conflict, TikTok has also been a breeding ground for misinformation as unverified users pretend to document livestream footage of Ukraine. What is helping young people learn about the crisis is the expert-backed advice from users and organizations like Gen Z for Change that have been using TikTok to “translate the most difficult concepts and language” so everyone has a deeper understanding as to what’s happening right now. YPulse’s news consumption and trust research shows YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are the top three social platforms Gen Z uses to obtain news and information, and the Russia x Ukraine conflict signals how video-first social platforms can be a force for good when it comes to educating young people on international affairs / news in general. (Yahoo! News, NBC News)