Social media influencer Zach Sage Fox has recently criticized TikTok for propagating antisemitic and anti-Israel content, notably since the October 7 attacks. Fox, speaking on “America’s Newsroom,” expressed his concerns about the platform influencing Generation Z, whom he provocatively termed “Gen T” or “Generation Terrorism.”
Zach Sage Fox’ TikTok highlighted a worrying trend on college campuses like Columbia and Yale, where anti-Israel sentiment and Israel war news have visibly increased among young Americans. This rise in hostility coincides with an uptick in hate speech and antisemitic content on social media platforms, becoming a TikTok algorithm for 2024.
Fox pointed out the broad issue of misinformation across all social platforms but emphasized that TikTok, in particular, is a major source of misinformation for young people. According to a Pew Research Center study from November 2023, 44% of Americans aged 18 to 29 and 42% of younger teens consume news through TikTok, which shapes their perceptions and opinions significantly.
Despite the positive potential of social media, Fox expressed severe reservations about its current trajectory. “The moment I started getting terrified was when you saw Gen Z supporting Osama bin Laden,” he said, indicating a disturbing shift in the discourse among the younger generation. He also noted widespread Holocaust denialism and misinformation prevalent on the app.
Fox’s activism against antisemitism and anti-Israel propaganda has intensified following his visit to Auschwitz, where a poignant encounter with a Holocaust survivor strengthened his resolve to combat hatred. His efforts are aimed at educating and correcting misconceptions prevalent among young users on TikTok.
The influencer’s critique comes as the U.S. Congress considers legislation to regulate TikTok more stringently. Fox suggested that selling TikTok to an American company might allow for better regulatory oversight, reflecting his conflicted feelings about a platform that has been instrumental to his success yet poses significant challenges in content management and societal impact