Recently, there have been congressional hearings regarding opposition to a social media platform called TikTok. This platform allows people to share information, promote themselves or their business, talk about controversial topics, and provides entertainment. Some government officials and regular citizens have raised concerns about privacy issues and the spreading of inappropriate content on TikTok. Although TikTok has terms in place that prohibit certain videos such as explicit content or dangerous promotions, people believe that there is not enough regulation. In light of this controversy, another question arises, one that is not new: How negative is TikTok for the physical and mental health of teens who use it?
During the hearing, a post was brought up showing a video that was allowed to be up for 41 days that promoted the “Blackout Challenge.” This challenge is a trend where users hold their breath for as long as they can until they pass out. This has led to the deaths of many teens who attempted to replicate this challenge. Many people have blamed TikTok for not taking proper action to eliminate this video, but some think that it should have been a parent’s responsibility to regulate what the child was able to view.
Another argument is that many people have concerns about the effect TikTok has on a teen’s mental health. Unfortunately, many videos can negatively impact a teen’s health through addiction to the app as well as the spreading of ideal body images that can lead to eating disorders and depression. Again, this issue has both sides where some users believe it should be TikTok’s responsibility, while others believe that users should take care of themselves.
TikTok is not the only social media platform with these problems. For example, Instagram is notorious for promoting body images and has been shown to increase a teen’s likelihood of developing an eating disorder. It is not a lie that TikTok has content that promotes negative behaviors and can cause problems in children’s mental health, but this is a risk that comes with almost all social media. TikTok is not perfect, and the “Blackout Challenge,” for example, is something that TikTok should have moderated earlier to prevent the deaths and injuries of many people.
However, it is also the role of the user and people responsible for the user to understand the risks of using TikTok and take proper measures to reduce them. TikTok can promote negative content, but it can also be used to spread positive content. Gym motivation and videos with advice are not rare to find, making TikTok a positive platform. The answer to the question, “How negative is TikTok for teens?” depends on who uses it and how it is used. Caution should be exercised when using the internet, and in TikTok’s case, it is almost necessary. TikTok is not inherently negative or positive but changes based on the user.
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