I keep accidentally DMing TikToks to people. One of these days, it's going to ruin my life.
A journalist reflects on the recurring embarrassment of accidentally sending random TikTok videos to professional contacts due to the app's sensitive interface. The author highlights how UI design flaws can lead to awkward social situations in a digital-first world.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of user interface design and social anxiety, illustrating how minor UX friction can have unintended professional consequences.
Of all the ways I embarrass myself with my phone, sending accidental DMs on TikTok is one of the worst. Juan Algar/Getty Images I somehow keep DMing TikToks to the same person by accident. It's really embarrassing. Aaaaagghhhhh! I'm not totally sure how it happens, but it seems to be from long-pressing the screen. This spring, I saw a TikTok that intrigued me. Befuddled me, maybe I should say. A woman sat on her bed and screamed into a pillow. The text across the middle of the screen read, "this feels worse than texting your ex." A pinned comment said "She def doesn't know about this audio lol." Confusing, right? I know my description doesn't make any sense. Neither did the video. That was the problem.
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