Breathe
By Ana Cecilia Pérez
TikTok, one of the most widely used platforms by teenagers, is currently at the center of several lawsuits over its impact on the mental health of young people. These legal actions, brought by attorneys general from 14 states in the U.S., argue that those running the platform know and are aware of the harm it is causing children, but have not taken sufficient steps to prevent it.
TikTok's algorithms are designed to maximize the time teenagers spend on the app by promoting content that encourages social comparison, bullying and dangerous challenges, all of which severely impact their emotional well-being.
TikTok knows and recognizes the problem, it has been the subject of research and studies indicating that the platform has negative effects on the mental health of teenagers, especially in relation to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
Leaked internal documents show that the company is fully aware that its platform affects the emotional well-being of its younger users, mainly because of its addictive design. However, despite this awareness, the company's actions have not been sufficient to mitigate the damage.
What has TikTok done? The company has implemented some measures in an attempt to address the problem, such as setting screen time limits for younger users and offering parental controls. They have also stated that they are improving security tools to protect minors, such as removing accounts suspected of being used by children under the allowed age. TikTok says it continues to work to create a safer environment for teenagers and maintains that they are committed to protecting this vulnerable group.
What TikTok has NOT done. However, these measures have not been enough. Critics point out that the platform continues to prioritize profits over the safety of teenagers, with algorithms that maximize usage time, exposing them to harmful content. TikTok has not effectively implemented robust solutions to stop the spread of dangerous viral challenges or to limit the impact of beauty filters, which affect the self-esteem of millions of teenagers. In addition, constant notifications, even late at night, disrupt rest, which directly affects the mental health of young people.
The main problem lies in the fact that TikTok creates a digital environment where teenagers are exposed to a mix of social pressure, misleading content and dangerous challenges. The teenagers spend hours scrolling through content that often promotes unrealistic comparisons, from physical appearance to lifestyles, which creates insecurity and lowers self-esteem. Viral challenges are not only physically dangerous, but reinforce self-destructive behaviors, such as seeking approval through likes and views.
The mental health of teenagers is at stake, and platforms like TikTok must take greater responsibility for protecting their younger users. While TikTok has taken some steps, they are clearly insufficient to mitigate the damage. For parents, it is crucial to stay informed and take active steps to protect their children from the risks posed by continued and uncontrolled use of the platform.
Parents should not minimize its impact and closely monitor TikTok use, set strict limits and encourage conversations about the risks faced by teenagers on the platform. Laws and digital protection measures need to be more forceful, but at home, parents can be the first line of defense in protecting their children's mental health.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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