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With more than one billion monthly active users worldwide, it is not surprising that TikTok addiction is a problem for teenagers in the United States. Started by Chinese internet entrepreneur Zhang Yiming in the fall of 2016, TikTok is a young social media platform. Teenagers experience TikTok mainly on Smartphones. Beginning internationally, the popular wave of the short-form videos on TikTok only hit the United States recently. Thus, until the social media platform’s impact grew, no reason existed for research into its addictive properties.

Given the explosion in the use of the platform in the past few years, TikTok addiction and pathological dependence users of the Smartphone app are potential behavioral health issues that are gaining attention. Still, research into TikTok addiction by scientific researchers and addiction specialists is recent. However, with the first research completed, it is clear a real problem exists. As a treatment center that addresses both teen substance use disorder and mental health, the youth clinical team at Tarzana Treatment Centers is investigating these research findings.

TikTok Addiction = A Serious Behavioral Disorder

According to new research in the journal Addictive Behaviors, many teenagers develop a pathological dependence on the platform. Study author Troy Smith of the University of Trinidad and Tobago explains how the realization of the need for this research came about:

“I spoke to two persons that described their interaction with adolescents who they deemed to be ‘addicted’ to social media or the internet. One person highlighted that their son seemed nervous, refused to eat, and even tried to lie to get access to Social Networking Sites (SNS) when he was restricted. This was particularly timely, as only months ago there were several instances of adolescent death or harm associated with TikTok challenges. On my initial search of the extant literature… (I realized) that a scale to measure its maladaptive use was absent. However, I wanted to know how common these addiction-like behaviors associated with TikTok use were and deepen my understanding of the underlying mechanisms.”

A modified version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale analyzes data from hundreds of TikTok users. The scale adapts well to other social media platforms. The researchers found the results to be in line with models of pathological dependence. Indeed, higher scores on the TikTok addiction scale go side by side with higher intensity usage of the platform.

Taking it one step further, latent profile analysis groups individuals with similar patterns of responses. Thus, although the majority of TikTok users (68.2%) experience “no risk” of TikTok addiction, 25.4% classify as being at “low risk,” and 6.4% classify as being “at-risk.” Although those numbers might seem small, an over 30% risk for addiction is rolling some dangerous dice.

The Inherent Risk of TikTok Addiction for Teenagers

Diving deeper into the study, teenagers at risk of experiencing TikTok addiction also show signs of loneliness and extraversion. Moreover, female users of the social media platform are more at risk than male users. As author Troy Smith told PsyPost in an exclusive interview, “Although most users appear to use TikTok in a non-problematic manner, the study demonstrates that the risk of overuse and possible problematic use exists and is associated with addiction-like behaviors that can potentially negatively impact the daily lives of sufferers.”

When investigating TikTok addiction and pathological dependence, here are several behavioral signs that the researchers highlight in the study:

1. Nervous and restless when discussing TikTok use
2. Depression and withdrawal symptoms when denied usage
3. Anxiety before and after using the platform
4. Extreme denial of addictive characteristics of platform usage
5. Acting out and angry reactions during withdrawal
6. Low self-esteem and fears of rejection on the platform
7. A desperate need for validation from other users

TikTok Addiction and Cybercrime Vulnerability

Finally, the study authors highlight a secondary vulnerability brought on by TikTok addiction. Such a pathological dependence opens the door to cybercrime and criminal exploitation. With that desperate need to succeed on the platform, teens are vulnerable to predators.

Given the potential dangers, Tarzana Treatment Centers is here to provide support. If you are worried about your teenager and TikTok addiction, please contact us today to access professional help.