Blood Money: Why the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye While China Kills Americans

In Chapter 7 of Blood Money, Peter Schweizer discusses the alleged role of TikTok in psychological manipulation, especially among children. He recounts how fear-inducing videos about a potential Russian attack on Sweden caused widespread anxiety among young users, which, according to him, proves that TikTok’s algorithm is a tool for mass panic. Schweizer suggests TikTok, controlled by its Chinese parent company ByteDance, has been weaponized for cognitive warfare, influencing young minds in the West. He draws parallels to a surge in neurological issues among US children, which some researchers attribute to “mass sociogenic illness” where young people experience nervous tics due to using TikTok and other social media platforms (188). Furthermore, Schweizer accuses American celebrities and institutions of promoting the app without considering its alleged ties to Chinese propaganda. Ultimately, he frames TikTok as a tool for the Chinese Communist Party to wage psychological warfare, describing its addictive qualities and the app’s growing influence on American culture, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Schweizer, TikTok’s algorithm is more than just a tool for entertainment—it allegedly manipulates users, particularly younger audiences, by controlling the content they see. He argues that TikTok’s design fosters the dissemination of content aligned with Chinese state goals, shaping users’ thoughts, emotions, and public opinion.