TikTok has emerged as a major cultural phenomenon. The effects of the video-sharing software on the brain are poorly understood, even though 6 out of 10 youngsters use it every day. Like other social media sites, TikTok has negative consequences on mental health and wellness. Studies have indicated that an overindulgence in social media usage may result in emotions of isolation, unease, and despondency. Mental health can be negatively impacted by the constant onslaught of information, the pressure to uphold a particular image, and the dread of losing out. This is particularly true for youth, who may be more susceptible to peer pressure and social comparison.

So, what is our brain being exposed to on TikTok? Let’s investigate more closely.

Is TikTok addictive? TikTok’s algorithm is cleverly designed to keep users scrolling through video after video. While this is great for the platform’s metrics, it can have negative effects on your mental health. Studies have found that high levels of TikTok use are linked to greater anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality among young people. In fact, some young people have reported deleting the app during exam periods to avoid distractions. Whether TikTok is addictive or not is a mystery.

How TikTok is affecting Mental Health?

Many teenagers talk about how they want to spend 15 minutes on TikTok but end up spending two hours or longer. That’s troubling since teens who spend more time on social media are more likely to experience depression. And that’s especially valid for usage at its most extremities. Furthermore, a non-profit organization’s study asserted that TikTok can expose teens to potentially dangerous content about eating disorders and suicide within minutes after their account creation. Social media especially TikTok’s use can cause the brain’s reward region to become overstimulated, which can lead to pathways similar to addiction when the stimulation level reaches an extreme level. Adolescent feelings of alienation, difficulty paying attention, and difficulty sleeping have all been related to excessive use. The fundamental element of the TikTok experience is our total incapacity to comprehend and completely absorb what we’re watching. The mind is drawn into a permanent, fleeting state of concentration.

What are the Benefits of TikTok?

The way that videos may reach people is one of TikTok’s advantages. On TikTok, people frequently ask strangers for assistance. A lady posted a video about her father, who wrote a novel for 14 years and got it published more than 10 years ago, but not many copies, until this past year. Subsequently, her video became viral almost immediately, with over 47 million views. Right now, the thriller “Stone Maidens” by her father is the best-selling book on Amazon. Another Zambian lady raises money for her school, which serves over 150 children with education, housing, and food, through TikTok. She raises money and exposure for her cause via TikTok.

TikTok also improves mental health, mostly via fostering a sense of community. There is no scarcity of mental health content on TikTok because mental health is a popular topic. TikTok’s algorithm suggests videos to users based on what they are likely to find relatable. As a result, a lot of individuals going through similar mental health issues frequently discover a sensation of support or camaraderie on the platform. In reality, some medical professionals are using TikTok to provide accurate information due to the abundance of content on the platform that is connected to general health. Videos addressing issues including lowering stigma, expanding awareness and accessibility, and urging individuals in need to seek professional assistance are shared by mental health professionals.

What Makes TikTok Different?

Social media use has long been associated with mental health risks, which have only gotten worse in recent years. For instance, in 2021, Frances Haugen revealed Instagram’s internal study, which revealed the photo app’s significant effects on teen users’ mental health, including a spike in eating disorders among adolescent girls. This data spurred calls for more regulation. However, experts caution that TikTok’s innovative features present distinct problems, as the platform hosts similar hazardous content. According to internal documents that were leaked in 2021, TikTok prioritizes content for minutes and hours of view time rather than interaction and clicks, which are metrics that are preferred by most social media sites. The business has implemented a special algorithm and a landing page that represents the most drastic switch yet from a chronological to an algorithmic feed in order to achieve that. We are unsure of the long-term effects of the app’s constant barrage of emotional cues, which can be challenging to identify and have a significant effect on users. While hours of consumption every day can have a serious impact on your mental health, it won’t make anyone depressed overnight.

What are Problems faced by TikTok Users?

Despite the advantages of TikTok and other social media platforms, worries have been raised about the information young people are exposed to and the consequent rise in screen time and its potential effects on mental health. After COVID-19 first appeared, adolescent media consumption has increased at a never-before-seen rate. Children aged eight to twelve use electronic media for roughly five and a half hours per day, while children aged thirteen to eighteen use it for up to eight and a half hours. Several well-known networks, such as Youtube, Snapchat and Instagram, in addition to TikTok, can seriously harm your mental health.

1. Excessive Use:

According to a study published in 2021, watching brief videos with entertaining and tailored content could be the ideal precursor to addictive habits. It might be difficult to turn away from engaging, relatable content when one watches video after video of it. The brain’s reward system is constantly active when exposed to this kind of content, which explains why many find it difficult to “switch off.” These reward regions of the brain are highly active during adolescence, which can make it even harder for teenagers to walk away. According to research, these practices may interfere with brain development and make it harder to complete tasks requiring prolonged attention.

Girls who experience depression in particular may be more susceptible to developing a TikTok addiction than girls who do not experience depressive symptoms. Adolescents who are dependent on social media or the internet suffer additional challenges, such as difficulty interacting with people in person, difficulties with self-control and poor academic results. Harmful information on social media appears to have an especially harmful effect on vulnerable people. Social media users, particularly those who are depressed, frequently encounter material about depression and negative social comparisons, which can have an impact on their self-worth and self-image. This may result in restless sleep, depression and more stress.

Inaccurate Content:

On social media, in addition to the abundance of good and wholesome content, there is no shortage of malicious, deceptive, or inaccurate information that is being widely disseminated. It is crucial to keep in mind that anyone can produce material on social media sites like TikTok, and it is easy to go beyond the limitations imposed by community guidelines.

The propagation of misleading information is among the most alarming effects of extensive TikTok usage. Up to 20% of the videos that show up in search results for significant news stories are false. Given that the majority of TikTok users are impressionable teens and young adults, these findings are very worrisome. Since many outlets that disseminate disinformation already have sizable followings and may seem reliable overall, it can be challenging to spot misinformation.

3. Body Image:

The study also emphasizes how negatively social comparison affects TikTok users’ mental health. Higher levels of worry and depression are reported by those who frequently used the app to compare themselves to others. These videos, which feature celebrities as physically fit, can greatly affect a child’s perception of their body. Videos portraying ‘Perfect bodies & Perfect lifestyles’ are being shown to youth. This could give rise to an erroneous perception of what “normal” is. Some people think that this has contributed to the recent increase in eating problems among young people.

Does TikTok encourage More Isolation and Loneliness among Young People?

It’s acceptable and essential for teenagers to find support and affirmation on TikTok; it’s part of their growth process. Some young people, particularly those who struggle with depression or social anxiety, may find that they spend more time on the internet and less time interacting with people in person. An individual’s emotions of alienation, hopelessness, loneliness, anxiety and depression might worsen when they are not communicating with people, managing oneself in difficult situations, speaking up in class, or handling disagreement with peers.

For a young person, the ‘Cultural Comparison’ mentality promoted by social media sites like TikTok can be extremely difficult. Any child who struggles with self-image and identity issues, feels insecure about fitting in or what other people think of them, will unavoidably compare themselves to other people’s online following, amount of like and friends, the expert said. They run the risk of being more depressed and alone because they are viewing these sites with the pessimistic attitude, ‘I’ll never be as good as these people.’

How can Parents/ Guardians help?

From an early age, parents will need to keep an eye on their children and learn how to set limits on their use of social media and other screens. Until they are certain that their child is old enough to handle their own accounts, they should think about parental controls. According to experts, parents have the biggest impact when they continue to be active in their children’s life and set an example of appropriate behavior. When parents put their phones and gadgets away and spend time talking with their kids after school, they are setting an example for their kids. It’s crucial to set an example of this noble conduct.

Conclusion

TikTok, like other social media platforms, can significantly impact mental health, with its effects depending on how it is used. While the app fosters creativity and community, excessive use and exposure to harmful content can lead to anxiety, depression, and social comparison, especially among young users. To mitigate these risks, users must approach TikTok with mindfulness—setting limits, prioritizing real-life interactions, and avoiding excessive comparison. Parents, educators, and mental health professionals also play a crucial role in guiding young people toward healthier social media habits. By balancing the platform’s benefits with awareness of its dangers, users can enjoy TikTok while maintaining their mental well-being.

SOURCES

Sanctuary Personnel 2023 – TikTok’s Impact on Mental Health

Yale Medicine 2024 – How Social Media Affects Teens Health

Center for Parent & Teen Communication 2023 – TikTok & Mental Health: Youth Perspective

Support the Guardian 2022 – What TikTok does to Your Mental Health?

HISTORY

Current Version
September 7, 2024

Written By:
BARIRA MEHMOOD