Claim: TikTok is addicting

Question

A lot of people notice that when they open TikTok, they are appalled when they look at the time they spent on the app are hours later. Moments that feel like 30 minutes on the app are really 2 hours. According to BBC News, “A psychologist said the personalised algorithm on TikTok may be leading young people to get addicted. Dr Nia Williams, of Bangor University, said TikTok addictive because it releases dopamine into the brain, making it feel good.” (BBC News) https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62720657

Comments

I agree that tiktok is addictive because me and several friends have discussed this. We all can say that once we open tiktok, we find oursleves sitting on it for extended periods of time and getting too focused on the app to do anything else. The screetime feature on iphone shows how much time you spent on each app ad we all have very high times on tiktok.

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@ellenwagner going forward, please "answer" the claim using the corresponding button rather than comment on it. By doing so, you'll be able to have your fact-check upvoted and also be selected as the best answer.

As for your fact-check, it's nice to hear your personal analysis and experience, however, going forward you should include evidence and support from legitimate sources such as academia, scientific organizations, or the media and the source links, plus a detailed explanation, and a rating.

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When reviewing your fact check and the article first thing I noticed was the titles did not match. I also noticed that you had really strong quotes and evidence backing up your fact check along with the perfect amount of length to read to keep your audience hooked. The way you included the authors name as well as statistics was a great way to execute your fact check. Overall you did a great job!

Answer 1

The claim that TikTok is addicting is mostly true, supported by growing psychological research and behavioral evidence. A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that TikTok's design can trigger "flow states" that make users lose track of time and feel compelled to keep scrolling. This pattern is consistent with addiction-like behavior. Similarly, a Baylor University research report described that around one fourth of young adult Tiktok users in its study met criteria for problematic use, showing signs of anxiety and poor self control when unable to access the app. Both sources agree that Tiktok's algorithm and infinite scroll interface encourages excessive engagements through instant gratification and rewards, similar to something like gambling. While these studies don't label Tiktok is a clinical addiction, they clearly show that its design creates compulsive behaviors and dependency patterns in users. 

Sources: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.948647/full

https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2023/baylor-researchers-explore-effect-instagram-tiktok-psychological-well-being?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Answer 2

I agree with the claim “TikTok is Addicting”, and this post provides good evidence to back up this statement. TikTok is different than most social media platforms since it shortens people’s attention spans with 15-60 second-long videos that are personalized to the user’s interests. BBC News interviewed a college student named Eleanor, who deleted TikTok during exams so she could focus on her schoolwork. She claims that when she spent too much time on TikTok, she would become very addicted. In this article, a psychologist said that the personalised algorithm on TikTok may be leading young people to get addicted, which many people have stated to be true. Similar to Eleanor, Ed Barnes, 24, also said he deleted TikTok to focus on his exams, but revealed that he did not feel the urge to redownload the app. Dr Williams, a lecturer and researcher who specialises in mental health for adolescents, claims that “whatever you search for on TikTok, that algorithm will be kept. The more you research for things that you like, they will be aware of what you like and that’s what you will be fed”.   This claim used the BBC to support its arguments and reveal statistics and evidence from psychologists and lecturers, supporting that TikTok is addictive.

Answer 3

TikTok is very addictive, thats the point. The creators of the app use algorithms that are custom to each person making them interested in the content for longer periods of time, which makes them stay on the app for hours a day. TikTok addiction has lead to more mental health issues as well. A lot of people who are addicted to TikTok are usually unhappier because they're constantly comparing themselves to others.