True Crime on TikTok: Is It Really the Best Way to Watch?

The Problem with True Crime Snippets

True crime documentaries are intense, emotional, and often disturbing. They come with content warnings (either self-rated by a streaming provider or classified by our Office) and a built-up narrative that helps viewers understand the context of tragic events. Social media, on the other hand, isn’t quite built for that. You might only see a 30-second clip of the most gruesome moment, with no lead-up, no warning, and no follow-up. It’s like being thrown into the middle of a horror movie with no clue what's going on, and then—before you can process it—you’re back to a gender reveal gone wrong video. That emotional whiplash is hard for anyone to handle. Sometimes the creators might include their own content warnings, but this isn’t consistent or detailed enough for viewers before they are launched into the scene.

True crime series often carry age restrictions, particularly when they delve into sensitive subjects like murder, sexual violence, domestic abuse, or cruelty. While most social media platforms are designed for users aged 13 and older, the graphic nature of true crime content can warrant age restrictions that vary from 13 to 18, making the shared videos not age appropriate for everyone on the platforms

When Traumatic Content Interrupts Your Escape

Let’s be real—most of us head to social platforms to escape for a bit. We want to relax, have a laugh, or lose ourselves in something light-hearted. But when true crime clips pop up unexpectedly, they disrupt that sense of comfort and safety. It’s one thing to choose to watch a full documentary where you’re prepared for the heavy stuff, and another to be blindsided by traumatic content in the middle of your feed. Suddenly, your fun escape becomes a stressful and upsetting experience, and it’s hard to switch back. It’s even worse when you get sucked in and you start looking for part 3 and 4, even though your gut is saying “abort, you will be thinking about this at 3am!” Damn morbid curiosity. Before you start, I’m not knocking all the true crime die-hards out there who live for pop-ups and use them as recommendations. But surely, they can agree that throwing a bit of traumatic content into someone’s ‘7am just woke up’ scroll will be hard to swallow for a lot of people.

The Tough Spot for Young People

Here’s where it gets even trickier—many young people don’t feel comfortable talking about what they see on social media, especially if it’s disturbing or upsetting. Why? Because they fear that telling an adult might mean losing their phone or being banned from using social platforms altogether. Imagine seeing something that really shakes you, but you’re afraid to mention it because you don’t want to get in trouble. It’s a tough position to be in, and it makes it harder for young people to process what they’ve seen or get support when they need it. Don’t worry parents, we totally get where you are coming from when emotions and worry gets the better of us.

So, here’s my advice:

Social Media Users:

• Use the "I don’t like this" and “do you think this is age appropriate” features to filter out or report upsetting content.
• Block accounts that share distressing true crime material if it really isn't your thing.
• Reflect on whether this is the best way to learn about true crime.
• Talk to someone if a scene or topic feels uncomfortable.
• Report anything to the platform that seems to breach their community guidelines.

Parents:

• Recognise that the algorithm may show content your child isn’t actively seeking.
• Stay calm if your child discusses something they've seen; ask questions rather than giving advice immediately.
• Understand that true crime content can be sensitive and complex.
• Foster open conversations about true crime; if your child is interested, consider watching together or doing some quick research if it isn’t your cup of tea.

So, What’s the Solution?

If you’re into true crime , it’s worth taking the time to watch full documentaries or series that offer the whole story and that include content warnings. That way, you can fully understand the events, get the context you need, and decide if you’re ready to handle it. It is also good to be mindful of who you are sharing content with on social media – especially if it's a scene from a true crime documentary. We all have different likes and dislikes, but what might have been mildy horrific for you, could actually shake someone else’s whole world temporarily.

And for parents or caregivers, creating a space where young people feel comfortable talking about what they’re seeing—without fear of losing their device—is key. It’s about helping them navigate the tough stuff without cutting off their access to the things they enjoy.

True crime is fascinating, but let’s make sure we’re consuming it in a way that’s safe, healthy, and respectful to ourselves and the people involved. Because no one needs a traumatic surprise in the middle of their reel scroll.