In August 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse, then 17 years old, traveled from his home in Antioch, Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin during a period of civil unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake. On the night of August 25, Rittenhouse fatally shot two protestors, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, and wounded a third, Gaige Grosskreutz, with an AR-15 style rifle. The shootings occurred after confrontations between Rittenhouse and the victims. Rittenhouse was arrested and charged with multiple counts of homicide and reckless endangerment. In November 2021, Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges on the grounds of self-defense after a highly publicized trial. The shootings and trial sparked debate about gun rights, self-defense laws, police use of force, and protests against racism and police brutality.
Kyle Rittenhouse’s Social Media Presence
Kyle Rittenhouse maintained a significant presence across major social media platforms before and after the Kenosha shootings. He had active accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
According to an NPR article, Rittenhouse’s Facebook and Instagram accounts were removed after the shootings for violating policies against dangerous individuals and organizations (Source). However, in December 2021, Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) reversed this policy and restored Rittenhouse’s access to both platforms. His supporters are now free to offer praise and support on these sites.
Rittenhouse’s Instagram account, @thisiskylerittenhouse, currently has over 269,000 followers. The account features photos and videos of Rittenhouse along with occasional comments on media coverage and the legal proceedings (Source).
Kyle Rittenhouse’s TikTok Account
Kyle Rittenhouse had a TikTok account under the username “4doorsmorewhores” which was revealed during his trial in 2021 (Source). The account had around 800 followers before it was deleted.
The TikTok account contained videos of Rittenhouse saying things like “Bruh I’m just tryna be famous” along with footage from one of his target shooting sessions (Source). Prosecutors presented the TikTok account in court to try to demonstrate Rittenhouse’s state of mind and intent on the night of the shootings in Kenosha.
Controversy Around the TikTok Account
Kyle Rittenhouse’s TikTok account generated significant controversy and backlash after videos emerged following the shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Many critics argued that the account glorified violence and vigilantism.
One video in particular was highlighted, in which Rittenhouse spoke about wanting to shoot suspected shoplifters while armed with an AR-15 style rifle. This video sparked outrage, with many commenters accusing Rittenhouse of being trigger-happy and promoting extrajudicial violence.
There were also calls for TikTok to remove Rittenhouse’s account and prohibit further posting. Some users threatened to delete their own TikTok accounts if action was not taken against Rittenhouse’s profile. However, at the time, TikTok did not directly intervene, citing its policies allowing all legal speech.
The controversy reflected broader debates about social media platforms’ responsibilities in limiting violent or dangerous speech. It also foreshadowed later criticism when Rittenhouse posed for photos with supporters flashing white power signs after being acquitted of all charges.
Account Deletion
Kyle Rittenhouse’s TikTok account was deleted in September 2021 shortly after he was acquitted of homicide charges related to shootings during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August 2020 (Fox News). The exact username of the account is unknown, but it reportedly featured content showing Rittenhouse posing with weapons and promoting Second Amendment gun rights.
TikTok said the account was removed for violating its policy against promoting violent extremism. A spokesperson said “Rittenhouse had noplace on TikTok” and that content violating its policies would be “removed without exception.” The deletion occurred amid public pressure and controversy over platforming Rittenhouse after his acquittal. Some saw it as glorification of violence, while others argued it infringed on free speech rights. Nonetheless, TikTok took action to remove the account shortly after its creation.
Legal Implications
There were several legal issues that arose surrounding Kyle Rittenhouse’s TikTok account before it was deleted. The account name itself, “@freekyleusa”, raised concerns over violating his bail conditions that prohibited associating himself with groups like the Proud Boys (1). Additionally, money raised through the account to fund his legal defense could have constituted profiting from the criminal case (2). There were also questions around whether the account itself violated the terms of his pre-trial release prohibiting posting images of Rittenhouse or speaking publicly about the case (3). Ultimately the account was deleted, but the prior presence of it sparked debate around these potential legal violations and ethical issues.
Sources:
(1) https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kyle-rittenhouse-law-crime
(2) https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kyle-rittenhouse-the-law-says-what
(3) https://www.tiktok.com/@johncolbert29/video/7307708354867105055
Ethical Considerations
There are robust debates over the ethics of allowing controversial public figures to maintain social media accounts. On one hand, banning or deleting accounts can be seen as censorship and a violation of free speech. Many argue that these individuals should have the same rights to access social media platforms as anyone else.
However, others contend that there are ethical reasons to restrict accounts that incite violence, spread misinformation, or violate policies. After the January 6th attacks on the US Capitol, several social media platforms banned accounts associated with conspiracies and election falsities. While controversial, these platforms argued such bans were necessary to prevent further harm.
Overall, determining the ethics around permitting controversial figures’ social media access remains hotly debated. There are reasonable arguments on both sides, and technology companies must weigh these factors carefully.
Broader Context
The controversy surrounding Rittenhouse’s TikTok account connects to larger ongoing debates over social media regulation and online radicalization. There have been growing calls for tech companies to better monitor and remove harmful content, especially from politicians and regulators concerned about the real-world impacts.
However, regulating social media remains complex with concerns around free speech and defining the line between free expression and dangerous incitement. As this case highlights, some content that seems innocuous on its own can take on more troubling meanings in certain contexts. There are also questions around whether platforms should police individuals’ accounts or focus only on clear policy violations.
Critics argue that the “hands-off” approach of many social networks has allowed extremism to spread unchecked. However, regulating based on political viewpoints also risks dangerous censorship. There are concerns social media has accelerated polarization by creating “echo chambers” where users only see beliefs they agree with.
Many argue stronger self-regulation and content moderation by the platforms themselves is the best solution for now, but defining effective systems remains a major challenge (https://hbr.org/2021/01/social-media-companies-should-self-regulate-now). This case shows the difficulties in balancing speech concerns with safety, especially for polarizing public figures.
Potential Solutions
Going forward, there are several things that could potentially be done to better handle controversial social media accounts like Kyle Rittenhouse’s TikTok:
Social media platforms could adopt more stringent policies around banning accounts that are deemed harmful or that incite violence. However, this raises concerns around censorship and free speech that would need to be carefully considered (Source 1).
Users themselves could be encouraged to be more thoughtful about the types of content they post and share, particularly content related to controversial events or topics. Social media literacy education could help promote more ethical and responsible use of these platforms.
Authorities and investigators may need better tools and policies for archiving social media content related to potential crimes and cases. However, privacy rights would need to be balanced (Source 2).
Overall, a multi-pronged approach is likely needed, involving social media companies, users, authorities, and policymakers to handle accounts like Kyle Rittenhouse’s responsibly while respecting rights like privacy and free speech.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kyle Rittenhouse’s TikTok username and account have stirred significant controversy and debate. While he was allowed to post videos as a private citizen, many found the content insensitive and inappropriate given the context of his criminal charges. The account’s removal speaks to concerns from both the legal system and the public. Moving forward, this case illuminates important questions around social media use by those involved in ongoing court cases. There remain open discussions around ethical implications, as well as how to balance public opinion with legal rights.
The key takeaways are:
- Kyle Rittenhouse had a TikTok account with the username @freekyleusa
- The account featured several videos of him, sometimes with controversial captions
- Many criticized the posts as lacking appropriate sensitivity
- TikTok removed the account for violation of its policies
- Debates continue over ethics and rights regarding social media in prominent legal cases
