To Ban or Not to Ban: TikTok’s Problematic Impact on the Youth.
“Ten years ago, two engineers thought about something different, which is, instead of showing you people you knew, why don’t we show you content that you liked? And that’s sort of the genesis and the birth of the early iterations of TikTok,” said Shou Chew, the CEO of TikTok.
TikTok, a widely used video-sharing and recommendation platform, has gained immense popularity globally. According to an online survey, TikTok was the most downloaded app in 2019 and 2020, accumulating 3 billion downloads and surpassing 1.5 billion users in 2023. Like other platforms such as YouTube, TikTok combines recreational and social features, enabling users to upload, follow, share, and comment. What sets TikTok apart is its unique video length, typically limited to 15 seconds, with only a tiny percentage exceeding one minute. Moreover, TikTok’s robust recommender systems predict user interests, suggesting personalized videos based on browsing history and preferences.
The success of TikTok comes along with the development of addictive behaviors and problematic use of the app. TikTok brain, a global phenomenon, suggests that people, especially young people, hook on TikTok and experience a decrease in their attention span. This addictive nature has raised important questions about its impact on users’ well-being, particularly among young people.
Artificial Intelligence has simplified our lives through algorithms, providing personalized recommendations to meet our information needs and offering convenient services like endless entertainment, including games and short videos we probably like. However, it comes at a price — we’ve lost the ability to focus on one thing for long. Daily routines of intending to work or study are often distracted by the phone, making it hard to regain focus without reminders. This leaves us tired and drained, even though we’ve accomplished little.
Recently, a lawsuit in Utah accused TikTok of directly profiting from addicting children to the app and continued to capitalize on the addictive nature of the app despite knowing the harm that addiction would cause Utah’s children. TikTok’s advanced recommendation algorithm utilizes mathematical algorithms and pattern recognition to present users with content that aligns with their interests, resulting in swift and relevant recommendations.
The appeal of short, engaging content on TikTok contributes to a culture of continuous distraction. A pertinent question arises: do these short videos genuinely have a negative impact on our brains?
Emerging research suggests that TikTok’s rapid-fire short videos are affecting the attention spans of its younger users. One of the studies from Zhejiang University specifically investigated the impact of TikTok on the brain, focusing on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, created by the same Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd. This study initially identified undesired behaviors associated with TikTok use through a questionnaire. Then, they used fMRI experiments to see how videos suggested by TikTok affected brain activity. The participants were 30 Chinese students from Zhejiang University, including 14 females aged 19 to 30, with an average age of 23.73. They were all regular TikTok users and also filled out questionnaires about their TikTok habits. Among the participants, 70% (20) had used TikTok for at least a year, and 46.7% (14) mentioned spending over an hour daily on short videos. According to the criteria set by the Internet Addiction Test, seven were considered disciplined users, while the other twenty-three had mild or moderate issues with TikTok use. None of them had severe TikTok use problems.
After the fMRI scanning, twenty-eight participants completed preference assessment scales. Among those surveyed, twenty-six participants (93%) indicated they generally liked personalized recommended videos for experienced users more than the generalized recommended videos for new users. The personalized videos presented by the app’s recommendation engine for experienced users activated the brain’s reward centers compared to the generalized recommended videos for new users. Moreover, more severe TikTok addiction-like symptom is related to lower self-control. It also found some people have trouble controlling when to stop watching.
According to the study’s outcomes, it seems like the government should get involved. This is because governments should protect the users, especially younger ones, and banning TikTok allows them to support actions to reduce possible problems. While others emphasize that users should take responsibility and decide wisely how much time they spend on screens.
Recently in the Ted talk, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, recognized our natural tendency to get hooked on things, especially with the internet. Despite TikTok being good at grabbing attention, Chew denied that the company wants people addicted to TikTok. He explained that TikTok doesn’t want users spending too much time on the app and actively discourages it.
Chew highlighted TikTok’s efforts to tackle addiction. If a user spends too much time on TikTok, the app sends videos encouraging them to take a break. This responsible approach aims to keep users happy without pushing addiction. Chew stressed TikTok’s commitment to managing screen time, especially for younger users. Users under 18 have a default limit of 60 minutes, with options for customization by users and parents.
In conclusion, I believe the government needs to carefully balance protecting users and personal freedom due to worries about addictive behaviors. With the changing impact of digital media on well-being and attention spans, regulations are crucial. CEO Shou Chew’s recognition of digital addiction highlights the problem. Still, it’s unclear if corporate efforts are enough or if external regulations are necessary for a complete approach to user safety.
