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.

Answer 4

This claim is true. TikTok's algorithm is designed to accurately predict your interests, and they've perfected the "perceived" ease of scrolling. According to an article by Baylor University, they describe various tactics used by TikTok to keep users hooked from start to finish. Videos begin playing the second you open the app, which differs from apps like Instagram and Twitter. You're immediately fed content from the second you open the app. The short-form styled content pioneered by Vine and TikTok now dominates all social media apps, but TikTok has seemingly perfected the algorithm. The article references studies done by Harvard and Baylor professors and proves to be credible.

Answer 5

The statement agrues that TikTok is addicting because of the way the algorithm draws in user to spend far more time on the app than they realize. They also say that it also contributes to addictive behavior because it triggers dopamine realses in the brain. There was plenty of credible sources that can provide evidence to back this up as well as my personal opinion. I could also agree that the app is very addicting and ive had a lot of toughts of deleteing it. 

A personal quote from Dr. Nia Williams a psychologist explains," TikTok becomes addictive because it releases dopamine into the brain, making you feel good." The article continues to explain that the algorithm just incourges users to lose track of time as the videos keep the user releasing dopamine which is linked to reward and motivation. Overall with my personal opinion as well as a trustworthy souce like the BBC, TikTok is definitely causing addiction for all users.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62720657

Answer 6

1. Summary

This claim is true, TikTok is addictive. that is due to the constant flow of new content, which demands concentration, and can distort users perceptions of time. With TikTok's algorithm, you are constantly being fed content that appeals to you, which in turn keeps you watching for longer. Using TikTok releases dopamine, which encourages addiction.
2. Sources

https://www.addictioncenter.com/behavioral-addictions/social-media-addiction/tiktok-addiction/

https://sites.brown.edu/publichealthjournal/2021/12/13/tiktok/
 

Answer 7

I think this is very true and accurate. The study I believe is very accurate because of myself. I see myself having to delete the app due to watching tik tok mid studying, or anything really. In the article it provides very factual information that i've heard myself or have heard about. In the article it talks about how people get addicted also by critiquing themselves seeing other people. Which brings them back everyday to want to achieve the look of the person.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62720657

https://sites.brown.edu/publichealthjournal/2021/12/13/tiktok/

Answer 8

I agree to the point that TikTok is addictive as it has an algorithm that puts things on one's page which are very accurate to their interests. "A psychologist said the personalised algorithm on TikTok may be leading young people to get addicted." In addition to that, the reason why TikTok is something so many people are on is because it's a common thing in our generation so people get on it due to the fear of missing out.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62720657

Answer 9

This claim is true, scientists have found TikTok to be addicting. This National Library of Medicine used thematic analysis to identify the attributes that define addiction in their study about TikTok's users. The articles stated conclusion is "This study highlights the dual nature of TikTok’s impact, emphasizing the need for balanced use and targeted interventions to reduce addiction while leveraging its positive features." Their approach or methodology was qualitative research and their participants were at least 18 years old. They outline their sampling and recruitment strategies as well as methods for data collection and processing. They are clear with the questions asked and results, of which come conclude an addictive quality from TikTok.

This article from Addiction Center delves more into TikTok's algorithm as opposed to a study about a person' direct relationship with TikTok. They delve into the effects, why it is effective, withdrawal, and what is happening to our brains when we use it. Many of these claims directly support the claims from the National Library of Medicine. Due to the similarity of information, it can be concluded that TikTok is addictive and many of its users display attributes of an addict, such as withdrawal, with and without it.

Answer 10

Social media tends to be very addictive, and TikTok is no different. TikTok's special algorithm analyzes what a person has viewed and liked and focuses content that's related to that to keep users coming back. Also, TikTok's specific format of short videos and ease of scrolling causes what research refers to as being "caught in an entertainment spiral." In short, TikTok is undoubtedly addicting.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11710882/

I used the primary source of a qualitative study by the National Library of Medicine, who collected data through in-depth interviews and surveys of 56 mixed-gender participants. It found that people who used TikTok excessively, for instance 6 hours or above, showed real addictive signs such as attention deficits and procrastination.
https://www.addictioncenter.com/behavioral-addictions/social-media-addiction/tiktok-addiction/

I used the secondary source of an article published by the Addiction Center, who specializes in what causes something to be addictive. This source highlighted the "entertainment spiral" and TikTok's special algorithm.

There shouldn't be much of a bias in either of these sources, neither has much of a stake in whether TikTok is successful or not. Both sources are just focused on providing accurate information for the public.

There have been a number of highly qualified individuals who've openly advocated for less TikTok use. James A Roberts, PH.D. says the opportunity cost of social media(TikTok) is huge. The more time we spend scrolling, the less time we have for the activities that build real connection and meaning."

There's not much evidence that TikTok isn't addicting, the only counter is that the benefits of TikTok, such as quick access to information and opportunity for public growth, outweigh the costs.