Hillary Clinton Holds TikTok Responsible for Spreading Misinformation that Shapes Young People’s Perspectives on Israel and Palestine

Hillary Clinton has addressed the growing concern of misinformation spreading on social media and its effect on young people's understanding of complex international issues, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine. She delivered her remarks at the Israel Hayom Summit in New York City on Tuesday.

Clinton described the situation as a serious problem, emphasizing that smart, well-educated young people are increasingly relying on platforms like TikTok as their primary source of information.

This is where many are learning about events such as the October 7 attack and the subsequent developments, she stated. It poses a significant challenge for democracy, whether in Israel or the United States, and it is particularly concerning for our younger generations.

Reflecting on her recent experience teaching at Columbia University, Clinton observed that students opinions were being heavily influenced by social media content, which often included propaganda or misleading information about the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel.

Engaging students in reasoned discussions was challenging because they lacked historical context, she noted. Much of what they saw online was not merely one-sidedit was outright propaganda.

Clinton stressed that the impact of misinformation is not limited to a particular group. It affects many young Jewish Americans who are unfamiliar with the history and its nuances, she said.

She highlighted that over half of young Americans now get their news from social media, pointing out that these users often encounter short-form videos that are either fabricated or misleading in content. According to Pew Research Center, 53 percent of U.S. adults in 2025 report getting news at least occasionally from social media, with 55 percent of TikTok users citing the platform as a regular news source.

Clintons comments follow broader concerns about the influence of social media on public opinion. Similar worries were expressed in November 2023 by Real Time host Bill Maher, after antisemitic content surged online following the October 7 attack.

Author: Sophia Brooks