Is TikTok Giving Kids Brain Rot?

By Nyiema Wood, November 21st 2024

The most common app in the United States currently is TikTok, so many adults, teens, and kids use this app. Tiktok has more than 4.92 billion downloads. It's an app of entertainment and laughter and just for people to dance, cook, draw, fix things and so much more.

But now that TikTok is so popular it's starting to attract more and more kids everyday which gets kids addicted to watching TikTok and makes them not want to do any other things like homework or even go to school.

Throughout 2023-24 our former president biden “threatened a nationwide ban on tiktok unless its Chinese owner promised to its stake in the company” The purpose of the U.S wanting to ban tik tok is because the republican lawmakers are concerned the ByteDance could be using user data to track browsing history and location and potentially drive misinformation efforts.                                                                                    

TikTok has been criticized for a number of ways that may negatively impact children, including:

• Harmful content

  TikTok's algorithm may expose children to harmful content, such as videos that encourage self-harm, suicide, or depressive thinking. TikTok's "For You" page may also lead children into "rabbit holes" of potentially harmful content. 

• Mental health

  TikTok may contribute to low self-esteem and confidence, especially when it comes to body image. Videos featuring people with "perfect" bodies and lives may lead children to have an unrealistic view of what a "normal" body looks like. 

• Time management

  TikTok has no time limits and features that are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. This can lead to compulsive use and addiction. 

• Privacy

  TikTok's default privacy setting for all accounts is public, which allows anyone to see a user's profile and content. 

• Parental monitoring

  TikTok makes it difficult for parents to monitor their children's use of the app. For example, children can block their parents' profiles and post videos that are only visible to a select group of friends. 

• Lack of online safety features

  TikTok doesn't have online safety features to inform parents when their children spend too much time on the app or use it at inappropriate times. 

In response to these concerns, TikTok has introduced some time-management tools, such as notifications that inform teens how long they've been on the app. TikTok also has a separate experience for users under 13, which automatically makes accounts private and prevents users from posting videos.