INTRO
From personal experience on TikTok, I can say that the app is very engaging and addicting. It can be funny, sad, toxic, disturbing and can fill one with many different emotions. This is one of the driving factors of why the application is so addicting, because of the dopamine produced from watching these clips. However, I think the main driving factor is the algorithmic system of the app.
ALGORITHM
The TikTok algorithm is a sytem which detects certain user preferences and applies this knowledge to your feed, which is called the "For You Page". Each person's feed is different and tailored to the videos you enjoy watching, which is detected by a few different factors. The main factor is "User Interaction" which is a system that collects information about the videos you like or share, accounts you follow, post you create etc. The system uses this knowledge to determine what shows up on your feed, or your "For You Page".
Systematic Contradiction
Once the app is downloaded, you are presented with a feed. From then on, every move you make is recorded as data and processed into curating the feed around your interests. This can become a problem in many different aspects because the more data collected from your interaction with the app, the more content you will see in relation to previously liked content. While this may seem intuitive, it can create many societal problems in different ways, without us even realizing it.
The "Filter Bubble"
The "Filter Bubble" is one of the few big problems with several media outlets in today's world. In short, this refers to the recommendation system's effect of limiting the content to only show intended media pertaining to your views. This poses a large issue in several realms including political values, false realities, misinformation, etc. The isolation of one's feed can distort people's ability to think for themselves, and can derive one to lean on certain narratives and societal views based on little to no critical thinking. This has a large effect on the younger audience, including my 12 year-old brother.
Harmful Effects
Tiktok has a strong ability to make adolescents addicted to the app, and provides non-stop entertainment and endless dopamine. This can harm young children like my brother to lack attention span by being addicted to the entertainment the application provides, and thinking they can't find the same enjoyment elsewhere. Another issue is the comparison aspect in that people tend to compare their lives to others on the platform, whom which may live their desired lifestyle (money, girlfriend, etc). This can result in a sense of farfetched wish-fulfillment, which in many cases can cause depression. Anxiety can also be a big factor in the implications of Tiktok for many reasons including body shaming and hate speech, which can also lead to eating disorders. Not to mention, the app is borderline uncensored and contains many disturbing videos and comments which no child should be able to view.
Sources:
https://www.liberty.edu/campusrec/student-activities/blog/tiktoks-impact-on-our-time/
https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/how-tiktok-recommends-videos-for-you
https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-algorithm/#:~:text=The%20TikTok%20algorithm%20is%20a%20recommendation%20system%20that,preferences%20and%20even%20your%20current%20state%20of%20mind.
https://youtu.be/aFIpQLYMGXY
Credits:
Created with images by DisobeyArt - "Group of millennial friends using mobile phones - Young people addiction to technology trends following and chatting with emoji on smartphones - Tech and millennial concept" • DIGITALSHAPE - "Phone in the hands of a young man"