Rosie Uyen Ha

SILENCE: Exposing Algorithmic Bias in TikTok #BodyPositive

Biography

Rosie Uyen Ha is a fourth-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication. With a strong passion for storytelling through film, video editing, and design, Rosie plans to further her studies with a Master’s in Media Production in Fall 2025. She is particularly passionate about marketing and event planning, and is always eager to explore new ways to tell meaningful stories.

Throughout her undergraduate journey, Rosie has remained actively involved in both campus and community life. She has served as a panelist for international student events, supported new students during orientation, and worked as a backstage event coordinator for Canada’s Walk of Fame—gaining valuable experience in event production.

Currently, she works as a marketing assistant for an international café franchise based in downtown Toronto, where she applies her skills in digital communication, branding, and audience engagement.

Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn to learn more or collaborate!

Details of Project

This project began with a question that lingered long after it was asked:

“If that were your sister, would you still call her beautiful?”

It came from my personal trainer after watching a TikTok of a plus-size woman. The moment exposed a disconnect I could not ignore—between public praise for confidence and the private discomfort that often surfaces when bodies challenge mainstream ideals.

Driven by that tension, I analyzed 120 TikTok videos using a coding system that assessed controversy, audience sentiment, and visibility patterns. Key findings reveal that videos featuring disabled creators received 90% positive engagement but 50% less visibility. Meanwhile, 85% of top #BodyPositive content featured white, able-bodied individuals. Posts affirming fatness frequently triggered unsolicited health-related backlash, highlighting persistent fatphobia masked as concern.

This project reveals how even inclusive movements can be reshaped by platforms that reward clicks over care and challenges us to rethink who truly gets to be seen.

Lightning talk

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