Is TikTok the Problem?

TikTok has grown into something big for so many different people of all ages and all over the globe. For some, it’s a place to connect; for others, it’s a way to get creative and share their art or work. Many people have built careers or businesses through TikTok, while others use it to raise awareness or even navigate chronic or dangerous situations. As arguably the most influential social media platform, TikTok lets anyone build a fanbase and even make money. But despite its reach and impact, it also faces a lot of criticism for its negative effects.

I personally downloaded TikTok when I was a freshman in high school. At that time, it was still considered lame because it was an extension of Musical.ly, a platform that has since died and is now clowned. I thought it was stupid too, but like many others, I found myself scrolling for hours each day. Back then, TikTok featured just short dancing or funny videos. User, Charli D'Amelio, became the face of TikTok, exemplifying the platform's true power. D'Amelio was just fifteen years old when she gained international fame for her casual dancing videos, reportedly “gaining more than five million followers in less than a week of having a channel,” according to Distracify. As the app grew, it became more than just silly little videos. Today, celebrities, public figures, and companies like Kamala Harris, Gordon Ramsay, Netflix, The Washington Post, and many more are finding their way to TikTok. I remember a time where you could scroll to the end of TikTok, that would be impossible now.

When going through your For You Page (FYP)—a homepage of videos curated through your personal algorithm—you encounter a wide variety of media genres. On my FYP, I see videos on topics such as cooking, news, dance, faith, exercise, science, and more. This feed is specific to my interests, but someone else might have a very different and more narrow or diverse FYP. At this point in time, TikTok has something for everyone, even very odd, specific requests. This could include watching someone sleep or eat, NPC roleplay, adults playing with children's toys, people pretending to be animals or doing odd things in exchange for “live gifts” (money). While these may seem unsettling to many, they are clearly popular.

TikTok is often criticized, but it has truly helped many people. According to a study from Macquarie University, involving teenagers ages 13-17, “using TikTok helped them to nurture relationships, find support, express themselves and become more aware of their privilege and social issues around the globe.” TikTok even recently implemented a STEM category, allowing access to more educational media. Personally, I have learned a lot from TikTok. Some users turn to TikTok to do research, define or explain terms, and study for tests. With TikTok live streams, we can interact better, allowing for free tutoring, advice, dating, gaming, and access to movies and TV.

Now that we have explored some elements TikTok offers, let's break down the negative feedback it receives. Cyberbullying, mental health impacts, and misinformation are common complaints. While all are valid objections, they can also be said about any social platform. When socializing with others, you are bound to encounter these issues, whether through TikTok, newspapers, or in classrooms. I do not believe these points are enough to condemn TikTok. However, complaints about addiction and attention span issues have more depth.

TikTok gained its users largely during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, many people faced extreme boredom, depression, and grief. Social media provided an escape, and with nothing to do, many found themselves addicted to their phones, particularly TikTok. According to Exploding Topics, in 2024, there are over 900 million TikTok users, with each person spending an average of approximately 58.4 minutes on the app. Children and teenagers spend an average of almost two hours daily, while young adults (18-24) average 76 minutes. However, seniors (65+) clock an average of 29 minutes on the app, which was the original screen time for Gen Z when the app first launched in 2019. 

Regarding the attention span issue, neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Psy.D., says there is no real evidence to support that TikTok reduces attention spans in adults. However, younger developing minds may be impacted by these short, dopamine-inducing videos. I propose that TikTok is being blamed for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a thought echoed by Talkspace therapist Jill Daino, LCSW, who states, "It is not that we don't have the ability to concentrate on longer things; it is that right now we may not have the bandwidth, given that we are stretched so thin in all areas of our lives."

TikTok has numerous benefits but unfortunately consumes a lot of precious time that could be spent on productive activities. However, some may argue that time on TikTok can be productive. The reality is that we need to protect children, whose brains are still developing and struggle with time management, through more restrictions on the app. We must also safeguard children who work on TikTok from being overworked, bullied, or sexualized. As for its impact on adults, it is seemingly harmless. We should not place blame solely on the platform but instead reflect on ourselves. If TikTok did not exist, would you truly be making good use of your time, or would you still engage in some other trivial activity? How can you make decisions in your own life to make better use of your time on earth?