Behind the Screen: TikTok’s Algorithm and Its Impact on Mental Health

     The phrase ‘Nike is Netflix’s true competitor’ is frequently cited in the internet marketing industry. This insight penetrates the essence of today’s digital environment. From social media to video platforms, different companies have been developing powerful algorithms to capture users’ time and attention by providing personalized content that constantly stimulates interest. However, there are concerns about this digital immersion. The negative effects of excessive smartphone use on physical health and the adverse impacts of continuous dopamine stimulation on the brain are well-known. We must examine how these usage patterns correlate with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, across various fields.

     1. TikTok’s Algorithm Design: The Drive Behind Endless Scrolling

     The algorithm becomes more fascinating and sometimes even scarier the more you observe itso, how does it work? TikTok’s algorithm is a crucial element in determining the success of social media platforms, providing personalized content through recommendation systems and deep learning technology. The system consists of ‘Following Feed’ and ‘For You Feed,’ where weights are assigned to content based on user interaction. Liking or commenting significantly increases the weight, while mere views often have no effect. This helps the platform identify personal preferences and recommend engaging content. Additionally, TikTok applies the ‘water drop principle,’ starting with a small user group and expanding if the response is positive. This approach aids virality and content distribution. Below is a comparison table of algorithmic technologies from three major platforms.

     2. The Vicious Cycle of Anxiety and Depression

     Constant consumption of content on social media platforms like TikTok can hurt mental health, especially those of teens and young adults. The ‘body transformation’ content that is trending on TikTok epitomizes this effect. These videos, which document body transformation through dieting or exercise, are likely to instill body dissatisfaction among viewers. Young people are particularly susceptible to social comparison, and repeatedly seeing other people’s successful transformations can lead to low selfesteem and psychological stress. Self-help content is also prevalent on TikTok, but it is poorly censored. This is a concern as it can encourage young people to over-diagnose themselves or make misinformed decisions without professional help.

     A health study on TikTok conducted by National University of Ireland Galway found that excessive time spent on platforms like TikTok is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Due to the addictive nature of TikTok, users often lose track of time, and enter a ‘flow’ state where they are disconnected from reality. This addictive use increases mental fatigue due to the loss of time and disconnection from reality. In turn, this can lead to social isolation, and exacerbate mental health issues.

     3. TikTok’s Shield: The Truth About Its Effectiveness?

     TikTok provides screen time limits, mental health educational materials, and guidance to professional help for users in crisis to protect users’ mental health. The problem is that screen time limit features require voluntary user acceptance, with many users ignoring notifications or deactivating the function. The educational materials provided often remain as general information, and are unable to offer personalized advice.

     Meanwhile, Meta-formerly Facebook-announced enhanced safety measures for teenaged users on Instagram. These measures include the automatic conversion of under-18 accounts to teen accounts, exclusion of harmful content recommendations, notifications for extended use, sleep mode activation, and strengthened parental supervision rights. While this move represents a more specific and systematic effort compared to TikTok’s response, its actual effectiveness remains to be seen. Moreover, with the possibility of teenagers finding workarounds, Meta is developing additional measures like.

     In this situation, social media platforms must responsibly consider the impact on the mental health of their users, and put in place better management measures. Limiting the time spent on content or actively introducing warning systems to protect mental health is one way of doing this. At the same time, it is important to empower users to take control of their content consumption habits. Rather than accepting the algorithm’s recommendations, users must monitor and balance their screen time. In the future, social media platforms must build environments that allow users to take advantage of the benefits of algorithms while protecting their mental health. They should consider empowering users to self-regulate their content consumption and introducing algorithms to limit self-diagnostic content and fake news.

Yoo Tae-yeon (Planning Editor)

tyrone17@soongsil.ac.kr

Na Jeong-ju (ST Cub-Reporter)

njj6511@soongsil.ac.kr