The Tik Tok generation.. What happens to teenagers and children behind phone screens?
The Tik Tok generation.. What happens to teenagers and children behind phone screens?
With the spread of the use of the Tik Tok application (TikTok) among teenagers around the world, questions are increasing about its real impact on the mental health of an entire generation that is formed within phone screens. So we ask you: Is it an innocent means of entertainment, or a digital environment that causes increased rates of anxiety and depression?
Therefore, theThe Earth Guards Foundation sheds light on this phenomenon from a perspective that takes into account rapid digital transformations, by relying on scientific reports and global health systems, such as “UCLA Health,” “The Children’s Society,” and “National Library of Medicine.” So keep reading.
Tik Tok and its relationship to depression
Research indicates that the average age of opening the first account on social media is 12 and a half years, and while these platforms were previously described as social media, they now have a severe impact on the psychological structure of adolescents.
Excessive use of Tik Tok has been linked to increased symptoms of depression and feelings of loneliness and isolation. What makes the picture even darker is that the application’s algorithms are designed to attract attention and keep scrolling videos without stopping.
Due to the Corona pandemic that ravaged the world in 2020, reliance on TikTok increased as a means of escaping isolation, especially with the cessation of schools and social activities. Behavioral medicine specialists believe that this excessive reliance has led to the replacement of real interaction with the virtual. Which caused an imbalance in the emotional and psychological balance of adolescents.
Comparison culture and digital addiction
Far from the fun, superficial spectacle that TikTok offers, it imposes its own extreme complexities on its teenage users. According to the report “The Children’s Society”, the culture of comparison that the application establishes is one of the most dangerous things facing teenagers today. By displaying perfect bodies and luxurious lifestyles, many young people feel that they are less than others; Which enhances their feelings of inferiority and harms their self-confidence.
This digital culture creates a collective illusion in which success is measured by the number of followers or likes. The teenager becomes in a constant state of self-evaluation. Because the application works through algorithms that track behavior and feed the same interests, the teenager finds himself surrounded by content that may worsen his psychological state without realizing it. Here a crisis is evident, called the “digital bubble,” which turns content into a closed electronic prison.
On the other hand, researchers in the American health program called “UCLA Health” (a health program affiliated with the University of California) indicated that some teenagers who suffer from behavioral disorders or social anxiety show a noticeable deterioration in symptoms after repeated interaction with Tik Tok content, as such content is fast-paced; The mind is not given time to rest, but rather imposes on it a state of constant stimulation. Which may lead to chronic stress and insomnia.
When does the TikTok trend threaten society’s values?
The impact of Tik Tok is no longer limited to the psychological or behavioral aspect among teenagers, but rather extends to the fabrics of societal culture itself. With the widespread spread of challenges and trends – or what is known as trends – generated by the application, it is noted that many young users resort to imitating actions and appearances without sufficient awareness of their context or dangers.
This imitation is not done solely out of admiration, but rather comes within the framework of the search for digital acceptance and interaction. That is, some socially reprehensible behaviors become a common and familiar thing on the Tik Tok application, and stimulate psychological illnesses.
In this context, many questions are raised about the content being promoted, especially clips that show movements or words that are out of public taste or affect the values of modesty, and these negative behaviors often top the lists of views and interactions.
With the absence of effective control mechanisms within the application, many teenagers rush towards this type of content out of a desire for fame, without realizing the extent of its impact on their cultures and societal identities, and all of this hinders teenagers from making sustainable societal contributions. They become idle energies.
The Children’s Society report indicated that part of this influence is linked to the rise of what is known as “influencer culture,” where some of them film provocative or controversial clips; In order to achieve higher views. It is a culture that does not require talent as much as it depends on boldness or going outside the norm, and this prompts teenagers to imitate inappropriate content, in order for others to notice them, even if that is at the expense of their reputation or family values.
Does Tik Tok have psychological benefits?
On the other hand, the positive aspects of the TikTok application cannot be ignored, which has provided a space for self-expression and sharing stories and experiences about mental health. According to “National Library of Medicine,” some users found the application a tool to guide their psychological state and communicate with others suffering from the same symptoms, as a good introduction to treatment.
The application also plays a role in breaking down the psychological and social barriers associated with mental disorders, especially in societies that do not easily recognize these challenges. In the absence of realistic support, some teens find on TikTok a kind of emotional security and belonging to a community that does not judge them, but rather listens to them.
With the proliferation of educational videos about anxiety, depression, ADHD, and ADHD, mental health has become a popular topic that can be talked about without shame. This type of content – when presented by specialists or through honest experiences – contributes to spreading awareness and helps direct users to search for help.
But at the same time, studies warn that this interaction may produce “behavioral contagion” in some cases, as the teenager begins to imitate certain symptoms, or act as if he is suffering from a disorder, in an attempt to belong to a group.
Steps towards more conscious use
From the above, we realize that contemporary digital challenges require more than just anxiety; Rather, it calls for practical strategies to protect adolescents from falling into the trap of digital addiction or psychological harm. Therefore, specialists from the “UCLA Health” program confirm that the most important step begins with teaching teens how to set healthy digital boundaries, set times for phone use, and learn safe digital interaction skills.
Experts also advise that meals be kept away from phone use times, and that a specific time should be set each night to turn off screens in preparation for sleep. Teenagers should also be trained on how to ignore offensive comments, and not get carried away by the dangerous challenges that spread on the TikTok application.
There is also a role for parents; Because they are responsible for instilling healthy digital behavior through example; When children see their parents devoting time to dialogue and real communication without screens, it becomes easier for them to adopt the same positive digital behavior.
Ultimately, theDefenders of the Earth Foundation stresses that the TikTok application is a digital environment that reshapes teenagers’ awareness, behavior, and self-view. As reliance on it grows, fears of its psychological effects increase, especially those linked to high rates of anxiety and depression as a result of the culture of comparison and addictive algorithms.
Therefore, the issue goes beyond the psychological dimension of public health and sustainable development, especially in its relationship to the third goal of development, concerned with good health, as understanding this phenomenon becomes a necessity to protect new generations in a world shaped by phone screens and websites.
