TikTok instead of Wikipedia. The new generation learns from 60-second videos

 

Not long ago, the symbol of accessing knowledge online was Wikipedia – a digital encyclopedia created by users from around the globe. Before that, textbooks, traditional encyclopedias, and libraries were the main sources of information. Today, however, younger generations, especially Gen Z, are far less inclined to read long articles or books. In their daily lives, TikTok is increasingly becoming the go-to “search engine” – an entertainment platform whose algorithm delivers content in the form of short, 60-second videos.

This raises questions not only about the quality of that knowledge but also about the future of education, critical thinking, and the role of experts. Can TikTok really replace Wikipedia? Or is it just a passing trend that highlights how much expectations of information sources have shifted?

 

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. From textbooks and encyclopedias to TikTok
3. The trap of speed and emotions
4. Fake news in the TikTok era – how myths spread
5. Natural cork – a misleading myth
6. Education in the TikTok age – how to cope
7. Summary
8. FAQ

 

From textbooks and encyclopedias to TikTok

How the source of knowledge for younger generations has changed

Two decades ago, knowledge was primarily associated with textbooks, libraries, and encyclopedias. Accessing information required time, patience, and critical reading skills. Wikipedia, which appeared in the early 2000s, was groundbreaking – suddenly, anyone could reach vast amounts of knowledge in seconds, though still in the form of longer, structured texts. Today, however, younger generations choose a completely different approach: instead of lengthy reading, they prefer quick, visual content available on social media platforms.

Why Wikipedia and textbooks lose to short video

Textbooks and encyclopedias demand focus and linear reading, while TikTok offers instant answers in a dynamic, engaging form. Short videos speak the language of emotions, storytelling, and visual metaphors – elements that capture attention much more easily than plain text. Wikipedia doesn’t lose because it lacks value, but because it no longer meets the expectations of young users accustomed to instant content consumption.

TikTok as the new “knowledge hub”

For many teenagers, TikTok has become the first place they turn to when they want to learn something new – from health tips and study hacks to historical curiosities. The algorithm, which instantly suggests content tailored to their interests, makes the app a replacement for traditional search engines. It is no longer just a platform for dancing and memes, but a vast repository of educational, popular science, and unfortunately, pseudoscientific content as well.

Statistics showing TikTok’s popularity as a search tool

Studies indicate that as many as 40% of Gen Z in the US prefer searching for information on TikTok or Instagram rather than Google. In categories such as cooking, health, lifestyle, or historical facts, short videos are becoming a primary source of knowledge and inspiration. This trend is growing – with TikTok’s more than one billion active monthly users, it is increasingly competing with traditional encyclopedias and educational websites.

Gen Z and Millennials – why they trust creators more than experts

A generation raised on social media identifies more strongly with influencers and micro-creators than with anonymous Wikipedia authors or academics writing textbooks. The deciding factor is the form of communication: experts write in a formal, often complex style, while online creators use simple, relatable, and emotional language. What’s more, the possibility of interaction (comments, likes, the chance to ask questions) builds a sense of authenticity and trust. As a result, young people are more likely to believe a quick tip on TikTok than a lengthy academic article.

 

The trap of speed and emotions

How 60 seconds replace lengthy studies

TikTok is built on short-form content – videos lasting just a few seconds that are designed to instantly grab attention. This is the complete opposite of traditional education, which relies on analyzing texts, gradually building arguments, and encouraging critical reflection. In practice, it means that detailed historical, scientific, or medical studies are often reduced to a single, simplified message: a catchy fact, a quick tip, or a “shocking truth.”

The problem is that simplification does not always equal clarity – it often results in distortions, missing context, and misleading conclusions. Complex biological processes or historical events cannot be compressed into 60 seconds without risking serious misrepresentation. And yet, for many young people, these videos become their first – and sometimes only – source of knowledge.

TikTok’s algorithm – boosting reach, not truth

At the heart of TikTok is its recommendation algorithm, which rewards not credibility but engagement and entertainment value. As a result, content that is shocking, emotional, and easy to remember often tops the trending list – regardless of its accuracy. Videos that stir emotions and provoke comments have a much higher chance of going viral than calm, well-explained expert analysis.

On TikTok, emotions rather than scientific evidence become the currency of visibility. Content framed as memes or controversial claims is more likely to spread than well-researched facts. This reinforces information bubbles, where users are shown more of what they already want to believe, rather than being confronted with diverse perspectives.

The scale of disinformation

The outcome of this dynamic is not just superficial knowledge but mass disinformation. Studies in the US and UK show that more than half of all health-related content on TikTok contains errors, oversimplifications, or misleading claims. This ranges from “miracle” diets to pseudo-medical advice, which can in some cases even pose health risks.

The phenomenon extends beyond health to areas such as history, politics, natural sciences, and environmental issues. Because videos spread so quickly and are often copied by other creators, false claims can reach millions of viewers within hours. The more controversial or surprising a video is, the faster it gains traction – while the truth is pushed to the sidelines.

 

Fake news in the TikTok era – how myths spread so easily

Why young people are especially vulnerable to simplifications and half-truths

Gen Z has grown up in an environment overflowing with stimuli. Their daily lives are filled with a constant stream of short videos, notifications, and memes, which encourages shallow processing of information. In such a setting, simplifications and half-truths are appealing – they are easy to remember and work well as quick soundbites. What’s more, young users often see authenticity and emotional delivery as more important than traditional authority. If a creator seems “relatable” and “genuine,” their message is often taken as truth, even if it contradicts scientific knowledge.

Pseudoscientific theories that go viral

TikTok is full of examples of theories with no scientific basis that nevertheless gain massive popularity. The most common include:

• health myths – miracle diets, magic supplements, “secrets” to rapid weight loss, or ways to cure chronic diseases without medical help,

• pseudo-ecological claims – such as the belief that certain natural materials harm the environment, when scientific evidence says the exact opposite,

• conspiracy theories – from denying climate change to fantastical explanations of historical events, or even suggestions that scientific institutions are “hiding the truth.”

Such theories are particularly “viral” because they tap into emotions: they spark surprise, outrage, or even hope for easy solutions to complex problems.

Absurd “facts” about history and health believed by millions

The list of examples is long. Among young users, myths circulate such as claims that the pyramids were built by aliens, that the Middle Ages were a “dark age with no knowledge,” or that vaccines cause more diseases than they prevent. Equally popular are videos suggesting that drinking apple cider vinegar daily can replace treatment for metabolic disorders, or that “breathing in a certain way” can cure depression.

The issue is that absurd claims are often wrapped in highly engaging packaging – videos with dynamic editing, dramatic music, and catchy slogans that stick in the mind. Fact-checking such myths requires time, sources, and context – things that rarely compete successfully with a one-minute clip that gives viewers the illusion of discovering a “hidden truth.”

 

Natural cork – a misleading myth

Where the idea came from that natural cork “destroys forests”

On TikTok and other social media platforms, a false belief often circulates that natural cork production requires cutting down trees, leading to environmental destruction. This myth stems mainly from a lack of understanding of how cork is harvested, as well as from oversimplifications repeated in comments and videos. For many users, cork is automatically associated with “deforestation,” much like paper or construction timber.

How the myth spreads in TikTok comments

TikTok makes it easy for myths to go viral. All it takes is one popular comment suggesting that cork “comes at the expense of trees,” and a chain reaction of repeated falsehoods begins. Each new user adds their own oversimplification, and the algorithm – which rewards discussion and emotional engagement – ensures that misinformation reaches hundreds of thousands of people. This creates a vicious cycle: the more the myth is mentioned, the more credible it appears.

The truth about natural cork: Why trees are not cut down, but continue to grow and regenerate

In reality, natural cork is one of the most sustainable raw materials. It is harvested from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), not by cutting down the tree. These trees grow mainly in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Italy, and their bark can be stripped every 9–12 years. This process does not harm the tree – on the contrary, it stimulates regeneration. The tree continues to grow, and its bark renews, allowing it to provide new material for centuries.

The cork oak also plays a vital ecological role: it stores large amounts of carbon dioxide, protects soil from erosion, and provides habitats for many endangered species. Cork production, therefore, helps preserve Mediterranean ecosystems rather than damaging them.

Natural cork as one of the most renewable and eco-friendly solutions

Compared to many other materials used in industry, natural cork stands out for its durability, recyclability, and low carbon footprint. It is used not only for bottle stoppers but also in construction, design, acoustics, and even aerospace. Importantly, the cork market supports local communities in Mediterranean regions, creating jobs without destroying forests.

That is why natural cork is a model example of a circular economy and eco-conscious approach. The myth about its harm, however, demonstrates how easily misinformation can dominate the narrative on social media – especially when there is a lack of clear, accessible explanations.

 

Education in the TikTok era – how to cope?

The role of teachers, experts, and fact-checkers

With short-form video dominating, teachers and experts face an entirely new challenge: how to compete for the attention of young audiences, whose focus often lasts just a few seconds? Traditional lectures or textbooks lose out to TikTok’s appeal, which makes active participation by experts on social media essential. Increasingly, educators and scientists are running their own profiles, where they explain complex issues in a simple yet reliable way.

Fact-checking organizations also play a key role. Their task is not only to correct false information but also to provide content that shows how to distinguish reliable sources from manipulation. In the TikTok era, fact-checkers cannot rely on lengthy articles – they need to use the same format as viral content: short, visual, and easy to understand.

How to develop critical thinking in young audiences

The most important element of education in the TikTok age is fostering critical thinking. Young people need to learn to ask questions: Who created this content? What are their credentials? Do they provide sources? Does it align with other reliable information? Without this, even the best-designed school programs will fall short.

Educators can encourage these skills by:

• analyzing popular TikTok videos in class and evaluating their credibility together,

• explaining how recommendation algorithms work and their limitations,

• teaching how to spot emotional tricks in storytelling, which often outweigh facts.

Can TikTok be used for smart education?

Paradoxically, TikTok does not have to be just a threat – it can also serve as an educational tool. Many teachers and experts are already using the platform to popularize science, explain complex topics, or even deliver mini-lessons. The key lies in the format: content must be short, dynamic, visually engaging, but also fact-based.

Used wisely, TikTok can support education, acting as a “gateway” to more in-depth sources. A video can spark interest, inspire curiosity, and direct viewers to reliable articles, books, or online courses. Rather than fighting the platform itself, the goal should be to harness its potential to promote genuine knowledge instead of misinformation.

 

Summary

TikTok has transformed how younger generations access knowledge – from textbooks and encyclopedias to short, 60-second videos that act as modern “mini-lessons.” On the one hand, this is a technological and cultural revolution that opens education to new formats and provides quick access to information. On the other hand, it presents major challenges, as simplifications, emotional messaging, and algorithm-driven content encourage the spread of myths and disinformation.

The myth about natural cork demonstrates how easily false claims can dominate the narrative while true facts remain overlooked. This reflects a broader issue: the appeal of a message often outweighs its accuracy.

If TikTok is to become a tool for supporting knowledge, it must be treated as a starting point – an inspiration for further exploration, not a substitute for encyclopedias or textbooks. Education in the age of short videos requires a new language, combining engaging delivery with credibility and accountability.

 

FAQ

1. Can TikTok really replace Wikipedia?
Not entirely. TikTok delivers content quickly and in an engaging way, but rarely in a complete or reliable form. Wikipedia and traditional sources remain irreplaceable for in-depth knowledge and broader context. TikTok can at best serve as a starting point, an inspiration for further research.

2. Are all educational videos on TikTok false?
No. There are many valuable accounts run by teachers, scientists, and enthusiasts who explain complex topics in simple terms. The challenge is proportion – the algorithm more often rewards controversial and emotional content rather than fact-based explanations.

3. How can you protect yourself from disinformation on TikTok?
The key is critical thinking: checking sources, comparing information across different outlets, and being aware that the algorithm prioritizes engagement over truth. Fact-checkers and educational accounts that correct false claims can also be very helpful.