![]() ![]() “They are looking at these sites through a negative lens of, ‘I’m never going to be as good as these people’ and that mindset puts them at risk of increasing depression and isolation.”ĭespite the presence of strong evidence, some clinicians still believe the jury’s still out for a final verdict on TikTok. “Any kid who is prone to concerns about their self-image and who they are, is anxious about fitting in or what other people think about them, will inevitably compare themselves to the number of likes, friends, or followers other people have when they go online,” she said. ![]() ![]() The “culture of comparison” mindset that is encouraged by social media platforms like TikTok can be very challenging for a young person, added Albano. ![]() “When an individual is not engaging in the world in a healthy way-interacting with others, managing themselves in challenging situations…speaking up in class, dealing with conflict with peers-this can exacerbate their feelings of alienation, hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, and depression.” “There are youth, especially those with social anxiety or depression, who may have a tendency to spend more time online and reduce their real, face-to-face contact with other folks,” said Anne Marie Albano, PhD, director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders. TikTok Can Encourage More Isolation and Loneliness of Young Peopleįor adolescents, finding community and validation on TikTok is not only normal but necessary for their development. As with any issue, there are two sides to consider. That group is a key part of TikTok’s audience.Īs TikTok gains more acceptance among youth, there is growing concern among parents, policymakers, and clinicians about the actual impact the platform is having on the mental health of youth. Data from the World Health Organization shows that in 2021, one in seven adolescents ages 10 to 19 struggled with mental health challenges. TikTok recently dethroned Instagram as the most-used social media app among kids 12 to 17, with 63 percent of them using the app on a weekly basis. TikTok, one of the fastest-growing social media video platforms today, dominates youth culture and attracts more than one billion users worldwide, of which nearly half are 10 to 29 years old. Social media, he said, has helped to fill those gaps, and TikTok has become a new coping strategy. Lockdowns, online learning, and social distancing mandates have disrupted their lives. Teens and young adults have an increased need for peer interaction and a higher sensitivity to social exclusion. And according to one recent study, high levels of social media use over the span of four years was associated with increased depression among middle and high school youths.Īccording to John Piacentini, a professor in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, the weight of the pandemic was especially heavy for adolescents. Growing research has found the more time a person spends on social media, the more likely they will experience mental health symptoms such as anxiety, isolation, and hopelessness. That’s the average age at which a child opens a social media account. ![]()
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