Picture this: You get home from work and check your watch as you collapse on the couch. It’s 6:05 p.m. “I’ll just do a quick scroll through TikTok before dinner,” I tell myself, and negotiate five minutes of free time before I boil the pasta. scroll. scroll. Double tap. like. scroll. scroll. You blink and realize it’s dark outside. 7:45 p.m. “Where did F time go!?”
If the above scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone.In fact, 6.4% (or 64 million) of TikTok’s (at least) 1 billion monthly users worldwide largely According to new research from Nations Online, people the same size as the UK are classified as ‘at risk’ of becoming addicted to apps, while 25.4% are at low risk. But there are still risks.
But when does a peaceful (or perhaps mindless) evening of entertainment turn into a full-blown TikTok addiction? And, more importantly, what can you do if you think you have it?
Am I crazy about TikTok quizzes?
While there’s no actual “quiz” to test if you’re addicted to TikTok, a recent scientific study found that addictive behavior journal If you think you’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with your social media platform, we’ve learned that there are signs you can look out for.
“After jokingly telling my wife that I was addicted to TikTok and WhatsApp, I spoke to two people who talked about their interactions with young people who are supposedly ‘addicted’ to social media and the internet. said study author Troy Smith of American University.Trinidad and Tobago spoke Cypost.
“One person highlighted that her son seemed nervous and refused to eat when he was restricted, and even lied to gain access to social networking sites,” the expert said. added. “We wanted to learn how common addiction-like behaviors associated with TikTok use are and gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms.”
Explaining what the study found in terms of signs to look out for if you’re concerned about TikTok addiction, Smith said: “The most definitive sign of addiction is Users become nervous, irritable, anxious, or exhibit strong feelings of sadness when unable to access social networking sites (withdrawal), attempts by users to control participation in SNS failed (recurrence). ”
Not only that, but the study (which analyzed data from 354 college students) found a correlation between the risk of developing TikTok addiction and gender, as well as past mental health issues. TikTok users identified as “at risk” for addiction tended to score higher on loneliness and extraversion, and female TikTok users were also more likely to be “at risk” than male users. .
The findings also showed that social media users may be dependent on one platform but not on another.
Why is TikTok so addictive?
As for why TikTok is so addictive, there are several reasons why we keep getting drawn into the endless scrolling at night. “Sometimes as you’re scrolling, a fun photo or something catches your eye and grabs your attention,” Dr. Julie Albright, a sociologist who specializes in digital culture, told the YouTube series host. explained. Technology first. “And it releases a little bit of dopamine in the pleasure centers of your brain, which makes you want to keep scrolling.”
Experts liken the TikTok experience to a slot machine at a casino, pointing out that as you scroll, you see things you like and things you don’t, which motivates users to continue using the app.
“Psychologically speaking, [it’s] “Random reinforcement is called random reinforcement, which means sometimes you win and sometimes you lose,” Albright added. These platforms are designed that way and are exactly like slot machines. And the only thing we know is that slot machines are addictive. You know you have a gambling addiction, right? But we don’t often talk about how that same addiction is built into our devices, platforms, and apps. ”
What is TikTok doing about it?
When asked if the company is aware of any users developing an addiction to TikTok and if it is doing anything about it, a spokesperson for the social media platform said: Cosmopolitan UK: “We are focused on supporting the well-being of our community so that they feel in control of their TikTok experience.”
The spokesperson went on to say, “We’re aggressively showing in-feed reminders to take breaks from the app, limiting push notifications at night for younger users, and Screen Time management settings allow everyone to choose time limits. But I try to manage my ideal screen time.”
Vacation on TikTok
If you’re concerned about your use of TikTok (or other social media), there are things you can do to reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling, like setting app time limits in your phone’s settings or deleting the app. There are several. Totally if you need a longer break. Tanya Goodin, founder of digital wellbeing movement Time To Log Off, also recommends creating a ‘no-go’ zone in your home when it comes to mobile phones. “Everyone here always thinks about the bedroom, but in reality the bathroom should be a priority,” she tells us, putting an end to the endless scroll of toilets.
If you decide to move away from TikTok, you’ll need to do something to distract yourself so you don’t get tempted again. “Finding something that uses both hands and really engages you is a great way to stop yourself from reflexively picking up your phone or scrolling aimlessly,” Goodin explains, adding that nightly new We suggest puzzles, crafts, and baking as an outlet.
And of course, if you’re worried about the impact TikTok is having on your mental health, it’s worth talking to a trusted friend or family member, or contacting a mental health charity like Mind.
For mental health information, support, advice and where to get help, visit Mind’s website www.mind.org.uk or call Mind’s Infoline on 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) Please call us at ).
