TikTok is currently embroiled in a critical battle at the U.S. Supreme Court, and the company’s case does not seem strong enough to prevent a potential ban. While much of the debate revolves around national security and free speech issues, there is another pressing concern that could significantly impact the platform.
Recent research from the University of California, San Francisco, reveals that a substantial number of children are engaging with TikTok in violation of the site’s age-related regulations. The findings indicate that many kids aged 11 and 12 exhibit signs of addiction, some even going so far as to conceal their social media profiles from their parents.
The study analyzed data from 10,000 children aged 10 to 15 across the United States, focusing on their usage of TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and other platforms.
Jason Nagata, M.D., a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, highlighted TikTok’s dominance as the most popular social media platform among children, with 67.1% engaging with it, underscoring its potential for harm.
About a quarter of the participants in the study reported frequently thinking about social media, and an equal number acknowledged that these apps provide a way to momentarily escape their problems.
Interestingly, 17% of the children expressed a desire to reduce their social media usage but felt unable to do so. Additionally, 11% of them identified social media as harmful to their academic performance.
The findings, published in the Academic Pediatrics journal, highlight how social media use among minors, particularly those as young as 11, correlates with increased rates of depression, disruptive behaviors, and eating disorders. These results are not shocking given the current discourse surrounding social media’s impact on youth.
Platforms like Instagram have faced criticism for worsening body image issues among young users. Moreover, an investigation by Digital Trends uncovered concerning drug-related content on the Meta-owned platform. A recent report by Amnesty International revealed that TikTok has been exposing children to damaging mental health content.
“Policymakers need to address TikTok as part of a larger systemic issue involving social media and introduce effective measures to safeguard children online,” said Dr. Nagata, who is the lead author of the study.
The research advocates for policymakers to examine how platforms like TikTok negatively affect children. Experts are calling for improved age verification methods on social media platforms, enhanced parental control tools, and stricter privacy regulations.
