The Danger of TikTok by Rebecca Robbins

1/3 of its users are under 14

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 12:09:51 UTC

A New York Times article published in 2020 states that 1/3 of tiktoks user are under the age of 14 even though their minimum age is 13. They can see this due to legal documents linked to the names they enter when they sign up. When they sign up they are required to enter their birthday and they believe many kids are lying about their ages to get on the app

Youth Mental Health

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 12:21:32 UTC

DBSA (depression and bipolar support alliance) states in an article from 2022 "Growing research has found the more time a person spends on social media, the more likely they will experience mental health symptoms such as anxiety, isolation, and hopelessness. And according to one recent study, high levels of social media use over the span of four years was associated with increased depression among middle and high school youths."

Tiktoks Algorithm

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 12:34:33 UTC

An article published by Addiction Center states that the TikTok algorithm is personalized to what videos people are interacting with (liking, sharing, etc.) This is an advanced Algorithm and is more intelligent than older and different social media apps. This article also states that according to a study in 2020 by The University of California - San Diego TikTok users in the United States open the app an average of 8 times a day and spend an average of 46 minutes on the app.

Teen addiction

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 12:41:42 UTC

An Article by Colombia University states "According to a Pew Research study, 45% of teens admit that they are online “almost constantly.” So, if kids are online less than a couple of hours a day, they’re doing really well. But for those who spend three to six hours or more a day, that’s when they’re getting into iffy territory. It’s interfering with the time they could be spending with other people or doing things that help with their developmental growth, like engaging in school and extracurricular activities.

Engaging in the world around you and having social interaction with others help to develop a sense of being part of the community and doing things that enhance your feelings of competency around other people. This engagement is extremely beneficial for your personal growth and development, and it doesn’t happen when you’re online."

Academic and Social Consequences of TikTok Addiction

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 12:48:56 UTC

In an article by suncloudhealth.com from 2024 states "Teens addicted to TikTok often prioritize screen time over their responsibilities and, as a result, their academic performance declines. Homework, studying, and other educational activities are neglected as teens spend more time on the platform. TikTok addiction can also erode face-to-face communication skills as teens become more dependent on virtual interactions than real-life socializing."

Adult Mental Health

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 12:53:43 UTC

An article by NIH (National Institute of Health) from 2025 states "Frequent use of TikTok was closely linked with an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially in users aged under 24 years. Female users were more likely to experience problematic TikTok use, with 67.3% of such cases found among female university students."

Affecting Mental Health

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 13:09:58 UTC

In an article by Hygea Health written in 2025 states "Studies have consistently shown a link between excessive social media use and mental health issues. According to the American Psychological Association, individuals who spend more than three hours daily on social media are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and stress-related conditions. The reasons are multifaceted:

Comparative Stress: Social media often highlights curated, idealized versions of life, leading users to compare themselves unfavorably to others. This “highlight reel” effect can foster feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and social anxiety.
Addictive Behaviors: Platforms like TikTok are designed to be addictive. The dopamine hit from likes, shares, and views can lead to compulsive usage, similar to behavioral addictions.
Disrupted Sleep and Stress: Excessive use, especially before bedtime, disrupts sleep patterns, increasing stress levels and exacerbating mental health issues."

Children Lying About Their Ages

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 13:17:24 UTC

An article by UCSF (University of California San Francisco) from 2025 states

"TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat require users to be at least 13 years old to have an account. But the study found that a majority of 11- and 12-years-olds across the country have accounts on the platforms, and 6.3% have a social media account they hide from their parents.

The study includes data from a national sample of over 10,000 children between the ages of 11 and 15."

Tiktoks efforts to get underage kids off of their app

rebeccarobbins — 2025-06-11 13:21:28 UTC

An article by BBC news published in 2021 states "61,951,327 videos were removed for violating the app’s rules, fewer than 1% of all videos uploaded

82% of them were removed before being viewed, 91% before any user reported them, and 93% within 24 hours of being posted
1,921,900 ads were rejected for violating advertising policies and guidelines
11,149,514 accounts in total were removed for violating guidelines and terms of service.

TikTok emphasised that it has introduced several measures to protect teenagers on the platform, including limiting features like private messaging and live-streaming to users aged 16 and over."