![]() ![]() The adolescent brain is vulnerable to these pitfalls of social influence because they don’t have the cognitive maturity to question the challenge or consider the consequences. Popularity tells our primitive brains that something is of value unless we stop and question it. Many parents worry that the attention of likes, comments, and shares from strangers will be interpreted and internalized as meaningful social validation and accurate reflections of self-image and value.Īttention, likes, and shares of dangerous challenges that have enough traction to trend increase the risk that someone will get hurt. The structure of TikTok with its scrolling feed, short-form content, and “For You” algorithm is compelling, which is good news for engagement but bad news in that “TikTok culture” emphasizes the importance of getting noticed. Laughing, smiling, and positive emotions, in general, are a good antidote to the stress and anxiety of COVID. ![]() It normalizes public performance and that, like selfies, anyone can do it.Īnd finally, some of TikTok is very entertaining. TikTok is the new water cooler, but unlike office cliques, you don’t have to be special to be popular on TikTok. Users actively participate through content creation and sharing self-image expands as people feel like they are members of something larger and have common experiences to discuss with friends. TikTok challenges can be a powerful way to feel connected. As we have seen, social media is a major way to reach out to others, especially during the pandemic’s social isolation. For tweens, teens, and young adults, it is also critical to the developmental task of identity development. Connection is extremely important to overall well-being for everyone. TikTok challenges invite active participation and social engagement. Energy, intention, and creativity are actually meaningful strengths in the game of life. Adding music, speeding up, slowing down, adding text, color filters, pre-shooting effects, stickers, and custom backgrounds are all on the growing list of options. You also have a lot of ways to flex your creativity will all kinds of editing. (They say you have to be over 13, but anyone who can add and subtract can get by that.) If you have a smartphone that shoots video - and what smartphone doesn’t? - you can post for free, anytime, and no specific talent is required other than energy, intention, internet access, and possibly some extroversion. Active engagement is crucial, meaning that posting, sharing, commenting, and interacting are more positive than passive observation. However, for those who crave social validation and lack the critical thinking skills or developmental maturity to judge risk, TikTok and TikTok challenges can be a less positive and sometimes dangerous experience.ĭespite all the warnings about the dreaded “screen time,” the psychological impact of social media isn’t as much a factor of time or how much you use social media as it is what you’re doing on social media - how you use it. It’s no wonder that over half the users in the US are under 35. These factors make TikTok the ideal app for anyone with spare time and a creative bent who enjoys performing in public, loves to share, is easily amused, and likes a lot of changing stimulus. Joining a trending TikTok challenge means that you don’t even have to think up original content ideas you can just add your version of the latest dance, lip-sync or prank and ride the trend. The app has some distinguishing features that enhance its appeal: a low barrier to entry, artistic control, the illusion of fame, and being part of something new and cool. You may wonder why making a copy-cat version of another TikTok video - good or bad - is so popular. Most are benign some are dangerous or downright offensive. A successful challenge inspires a lot of people to make the same type of video. Challenges are found using hashtag searches and typically start from trending TikTok videos based on songs, dance moves, movie quotes, or documenting some activity. TikTok challenges continue to fill the news alongside reports of the big bucks that young TikTok stars are pulling down from endorsement deals - both of which terrify parents.Īs the name suggests, a TikTok challenge asks or “challenges” the viewer to take some action and record it for sharing on TikTok. A mobile app that allows users to create and share short videos, it was the most downloaded app of 2020. TikTok is the current app parents love to hate. ![]()
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