Is it Time to Delete TikTok?
In a world where children are born into the digital age, TikTok has become one of the most popular apps, and is an important part of today’s culture. Every user has 24/7 access to news coverage and AI-selected content based on personal interests. While this sounds like a good thing, the short bursts of dopamine that TikTok is known for can be addictive for some people, leading to a decrease in attention span or productivity.
The first thing most kids, including myself, do in the morning is reach for their phones. Starting the day off staring at a screen isn't unreasonable, as we live in a world where nearly everything is done through technology. This modern technological age has positive and negative consequences, just as TikTok does.
TikTok was introduced following the downfall of similar entertainment apps, Vine and Musical.ly, and it’s known for its short video format. First designed to be an app for dancing and lip-syncing, it has transformed into a hub of content for people of all walks of life. Each video is different, and users are free to post and scroll as much as they want.
Coming from a user of the app, It’s very easy to get lost in the endless stream of videos. “TikTok is something I want to remove from my life completely, but I find myself re-downloading the app,” Anirudh Ale, 11 said. Some students, including Anirudh, are taking action and have decided to delete TikTok. This so-called “TikTok Addiction” has become such a big problem that TikTok even hired influencers to ask users to take breaks and stop scrolling.
TikTok was created by a Chinese tech company, ByteDance. It was marketed as a social-networking service where you could share videos similar to Facebook and Instagram; however, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, shut it down, and integrated those popular features into TikTok. Now, after years of work, it has become a platform filled with mid-numbing, addictive content.
As of now, the health effects of TikTok are still relatively unknown, as the app is still somewhat new. However, health effects can be seen at our school. According to recent Wind-Up survey data, 70% of St. Joe students use TikTok. Of that group, 74% said that it affects sleep, productivity, or the ability to focus. “I find myself scrolling any time I have a break during the day,” Anirudh Ale, 11 said.
Despite its negative effects, TikTok is one of the fastest growing apps and is becoming more popular every day.