Digital Digest #32 - Kids' digital worlds; AI's consequences; TikTok boosting TikTok Shop

Hi everyone,

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend.

A few thought-provoking stories in this week's Digital Digest - from the unintended (but predictable) consequences of generative AI polluting the web, to the entertaining tale of a journalist who planned a silly test of TikTok Shop and found themselves on a live stream in front of hundreds of people. First up: an interesting but alarming story that reflects the different online world that kids inhabit, even if they're using the same platforms as us.

1. The Rise of the Zynfluencer

A fascinating piece from the New York Times looked at "The Rise of the Zynfluencer" - the latest challenge as influencers emerge around regulated industries, in this case targeting vulnerable younger audiences. (New York Times)

• Why it matters: The dominance of algorithm-driven feeds means the world you see when you log on to the web is different to what your kids see. That can make us blind to the dangers they're facing. This is a behavior influencer marketers may want to watch out for as they screen potential creator partners for brands.

2. I'm sorry I cannot write this title

As if Amazon isn't cluttered enough nowadays, lazy merchants and scam artists mean users are now having to wade through listings polluted with products named with AI error messages: "I cannot fill that request." (Ars Technica, Semafor)

• Why it matters: We're seeing more and more examples of problematic AI-generated content across the web - whether it's disreputable sites using AI to rewrite legitimate news articles for their own content, or low-quality AI-generated travel guides, or this latest example.

Also in generative AI:

• Google News is boosting garbage AI-generated articles (404media)
• Taylor Swift fans scammed by fake AI-generated endorsement for Le Creuset cookware (The Independent)
• How OpenAI is approaching 2024 worldwide elections (OpenAI, The Verge)
• Bonus: TikTok also unveiled its elections approach (Engadget)

3. Gen Z loves YouTube

Gen Z trusts YouTube more than any other platform, according to a YouGov/Business Insider survey, with Instagram close behind. Interestingly, TikTok was close to the bottom of the list. (Business Insider)

• Why it matters: Trust seems to be short in supply with Gen Z, particularly around conventional places (a recent Gallup survey showed only 16% of Gen Z trust the media). The high levels of trust around YouTube and Instagram reflects the importance of influencers with this audience.

4. TikTok juicing TikTok Shop posts

A writer listed a used pencil on TikTok as a test of TikTok Shop, and suddenly found that hundreds of people were watching. (Intelligencer)

• Why it matters: This isn't just a hilariously awkward tale of the writer's moment in the sun as he hawked his "Classic Mechanical Pencil" (although it is both hilarious and awkward) - this piece also gives an interesting look at how TikTok is boosting people sharing TikTok Shop links as it seeks to break through with its eCommerce offering.

Have a great week!

Dave