TikTok is a popular social media app that lets users passively view content or actively create content. The app also promotes trends often based on distorted portrayals of real life.
One example is the “glow-up” trend, in which users share step-by-step routines for achieving their ideal appearance. These routines include healthy daily rituals, positive affirmations, and exercise.
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Self-Esteem
For many, TikTok is a community where they feel safe expressing themselves in a unique and authentic way. It can also be a place to laugh or make new friends through the TikTok trends right now. However, it can be easy for people to lose track of how much time they spend on the app and end up with an unhealthy addiction.
A lot of the content on the TikTok platform is positive, but several trends are not. For example, videos’ POV (point-of-view) genre is often about mental health issues and can be triggering for some people. Additionally, the rise of TikTok trends that promote self-diagnoses can be dangerous as some conditions are rare and require a licensed health care professional to diagnose.
TikTok has become where people can find inspiration and motivation through uplifting quotes or “glow-up” plans. These plans are meant to help people improve and become their best version. However, it’s important to remember that building self-esteem isn’t a quick fix and requires hard work.
Another problem with these trending topics is that they need to be more informed, and can lead to people misdiagnosing themselves. This can be dangerous as some conditions are rare and may not respond to certain treatments.
Social Appreciation
The social media app’s scrolling feed and short-form content are addictive, keeping users on the platform for hours a day. Its popularity among teens also stems from a reliance on their peers’ likes, shares, and comments as meaningful social validation and accurate reflections of self-image and value. This can lead to dangerous and shocking videos, especially for young people who lack the critical thinking skills and developmental maturity to weigh risk factors.
TikTok’s success has been fueled by its entertaining and catchy video content, with many users jumping on trends and memes. The app allows for 15-second video creations and a wide variety of special effects, including sound, filters, unique transitions and time manipulation such as slo-mo or rewind.
Additionally, TikTok has a ‘For You’ algorithm that recommends content to users based on their viewing history. This means that if users view videos about mental health, they will likely see more of the same when they return to the app. This can have harmful consequences if users seek guidance from the app, as therapists are worried that some of the content available on the platform could stereotype mental illness or provide misinformation.
Some of the more popular videos on TikTok include challenge videos, where creators attempt to complete tasks or follow a theme. For example, a challenge video might feature participants singing a song, dancing to a trending tune, or performing comedic sketches. These videos are often boosted by trending hashtags encouraging engagement and are great for organic reach.
Dopamine
The popular app TikTok allows users to post 15-second or three-minute videos set to music. Most videos are dance routines or cooking clips, but there are also a lot of personal stories about people’s lives and struggles with mental health. People who use the app say they get a sense of community and enjoy discovering new content from their peers.
The app has even become the platform of choice for some who want to get into social media activism or make political statements. While many of these are meant to be lighthearted, others can have serious implications for the mental well-being of its young users.
As a result, the rise of TikTok has led to an increase in mental health issues among teens and young adults. This trend is exacerbated by the fact that much information on the site stereotypes mental illnesses and promotes dangerous self-diagnosis.
Local therapists say it’s important to educate consumers about the app’s dangers. But they don’t believe it’s right to discourage them from interacting with the community altogether. Some therapists have begun using TikTok to engage with their patients and create awareness about mental wellness topics that aren’t getting enough attention in the mainstream media. But they warn that this should be done with caution.
Addiction
The social media app’s algorithms create a feedback loop showing you content you will enjoy. Watching these videos and engaging with the platform triggers a release of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Over time, this can cause dependency and addiction. This is similar to gambling addiction, where a person develops an insatiable urge to win.
TikTok users may also become reliant on the “high” they get from watching others create content. This can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress while decreasing working memory ability. Young people appear more susceptible to this addictive behavior as they have grown up in a world with mainstream social media.
A trend is a piece of popular TikTok content that goes viral. This can be a song, dance, challenge, or hashtag. Influencers often create the trends but can be organically developed by the community. Brands can also use trends to generate buzz or showcase their product or service.
There is no scientific evidence that a mental health condition causes an addiction to TikTok, but there is a correlation. If you are struggling with a mental illness, it is recommended that you seek help. A therapist can help you find healthy coping skills while trying to break your TikTok addiction.
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