How TikTok Creators Fail to Make Content Accessible

Guidelines for content creators to provide better captions

Photo by Artem Podrez

We all know how addictive TikTok can be. But have you ever tried to watch a TikTok video with captions that appear one word at a time? Take a look at this one.

It’s frustrating, right? The captions are so distracting that it’s impossible to read them while watching the video and actually make sense of what you just watched.

In fact, it’s more than frustrating — it’s downright inaccessible. The problem is, TikTokers are embracing this style of captioning, with this user even sharing a tutorial on how to make one-word captions.

Is it just me that gave up reading the captions? They’re showing up one word at a time, and the pace is lightning-fast. It’s like trying to read a novel at supersonic speed.

Let’s talk about why these one-word-at-a-time captions on TikTok defeat the purpose of accessibility.

The Problem with One-Word-At-A-Time Captions

For most people, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with reading words at the speed at which a person is talking, let alone comprehend the content.

Let’s be real here — captions are meant to assist those with hearing impairments, provide language support for non-native speakers, and aid those who prefer to watch videos with the sound off.

(Source: MasterClass)

But when captions are displayed one word at a time, they become a barrier instead of a help. It’s like putting up a “Do Not Enter” sign on a door…