By skyforbes 
Leaving a social media platform in 2025 may not seem like headline news. People deactivate accounts all the time, citing burnout, toxicity, or a desire for more meaningful engagement. But when I decided to quit Tiktok, it wasn’t a casual digital detox. It was an emotional decision rooted in deep disappointment — triggered by the persistent, unchecked hatred directed toward Indians on the platform. A disturbing trend is the hateful and vile comments appearing on posts about the recent plane crash in India. I’ve always known that racists are cowards who hide behind keyboards to spew hate — but mocking victims and families of a plane crash? That’s a new and despicable low. Indians are thriving wherever they go, and while that may spark jealousy in some, celebrating the death of innocent people is never justifiable. Some ignorant idiot even wrote, “this means a reduction of 240 scam calls.” That was the number of lives, which also included many toddlers and kids, lost in the crash. No form of hate should be encouraged, and animosity toward a country should never be directed at its innocent citizens.
I found myself unable to control the content on my TikTok feed — unlike on Facebook and other platforms — so I decided to quit TikTok altogether.
A Platform for Dialogue — or Division?
When I first joined Titktok to promote my books, after moving to Canada as it is banned in India, it felt like a global town square. It was a place to exchange ideas, celebrate culture, follow news in real time, and engage with people from all over the world. But gradually, that optimism was drowned out by something much darker: a steady rise in xenophobia, racism against Indians, and cultural erasure directed at Indian users.
As a humanbeing, and not a citizen of a specific country, I witnessed — and was often targeted by — waves of dehumanizing rhetoric on Titktok. From the violence in Israel and Palestine, to rising unemployment and the scapegoating of immigrants, to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict — people increasingly seem to thrive on spreading hatred on Tiktok. From casual jokes steeped in stereotypes to violent threats masquerading as political commentary, the platform became a breeding ground for hostility. Discussions about India’s politics, culture, or even food were too often hijacked by trolls whose goal was not debate, but degradation.
The Normalization of Hate
What made this worse was the normalization of such hate. Posts ridiculing Indian accents, mocking religious practices, or belittling India’s global contributions weren’t just tolerated — they were often amplified. Accounts spreading misinformation or hate speech would remain active while users calling them out were shadowbanned or suspended. It sent a chilling message: some voices were being protected, while others — especially those from marginalized or non-Western communities — were expendable.
This wasn’t just frustrating. It was exhausting. Being a Canadian of Indian origin on Tiktok meant constantly having to defend your identity, explain your humanity, and justify your presence. It became clear to me that the emotional labor of staying wasn’t worth it anymore.
More Than a Digital Exit
Quitting TikTok wasn’t an escape — it was a statement. I’m still active on other social media platforms where, thanks to privacy settings, I have greater control over my feed. I realized I didn’t need to subject myself to a space that profited from outrage and failed to protect those it harmed. Logging off was my way of reclaiming peace, self-respect, and focus.
This decision doesn’t mean I’m disengaging from global conversations or turning my back on activism. Quite the opposite. It means I’m choosing to invest my energy in platforms and communities that encourage respectful dialogue and cultural empathy — places where my identity isn’t a target, but a strength.
A Call for Change
I share this not to condemn every user or every interaction I had on Tiktok. There are brilliant voices on the platform doing important work — many of whom are Indian and facing the same abuse I did. But systemic problems need systemic solutions. Until platforms like Tiktok take hate speech seriously, especially the kind directed at non-Western populations, more users like me will continue to walk away — not because we’re fragile, but because we’re done being abused.
There’s strength in choosing dignity over digital presence. And sometimes, logging off is the loudest statement you can make.
To those blaming immigrants — particularly Indians — for job losses, housing crisis, catch and release policy with criminals, and implementing less stringent student admission standards: direct your frustration at the government that created these conditions — the very one you voted for. Hating hardworking immigrants, and students won’t solve anything. But holding corrupt leaders accountable for misusing your vote just might.
We must acknowledge that letting criminals walk free, along with the housing crisis, unemployment, and the rising cost of living, are issues that impact every one of us. We’re in this together, and directing hatred toward any one group won’t solve these shared challenges.
Also, keep in mind that TikTok isn’t even available in India, so your hatred isn’t reaching anyone there. Maybe find a more effective outlet for your negativity.
Like every other immigrant community in Canada, we deserve equal respect for our positive contributions. It’s unfair to generalize or ridicule us based on the actions of a few individuals — every community has its share of bad apples. I’ll continue to speak out against racism and hatred — always. If you’re interested in meaningful conversations, feel free to connect with me on other social media platforms #author_jasveersinghdangi
Peace out.