Is TikTok Helping or Hurting Wildlife Awareness?

Submitted by avasinclair on

Hi everyone,

I’ve come across quite a few nature-related videos on TikTok recently — people filming rare birds, insects, or fungi, sometimes even sharing quick ID tips or “cool facts” about species. Some are genuinely interesting, but others seem more focused on going viral than sharing accurate info.

Do you think platforms like TikTok could play a positive role in raising awareness about wildlife and recording? Or are they more likely to spread misidentifications and disturb sensitive habitats?

Also, I’ve noticed that even TikTok 18 is starting to feature some raw and unfiltered nature clips — not always scientific, but still fascinating to watch. If you're curious, you can explore more of that type of content on this site.

Curious to hear what others here think — have you seen any good (or bad) examples on TikTok that relate to biological recording?

Thanks!