Tiktok Viral Video Effects on Youth Influencers| Orlando Counselor

Since Musical.ly rebranded to TikTok in 2018, the notoriety of the app skyrocketed surpassing popular apps like Uber. With TikTok’s specifically tailored algorithm, any teen can be pushed onto the For You page seen by millions throughout the world and become famous overnight. This was particularly seen with 17-year-old TikTok star, Charli D’ Amelio, who has more followers than the President of Twitter.  However, as we have seen with many other youth stars, such an immense amount of fame can have its downside, especially for these TikTok celebrities, notably when it comes to their mental health. 

With how easy it is to go viral, teens can be easily absorbed into the world of fame which can be extremely dangerous with how underdeveloped their prefrontal cortex is, which is the part of the brain that aids in the ability to plan, think about the consequences of actions, and solve problems. Not only are teens’ brains developing, but so is their sense of self. Tiktok gives teens control of how they present themselves, allowing them to be whoever they want. Teens can share their true version of themselves or present themselves falsely to seem more appealing to others, the latter being more likely. According to Rosen et al.(2013), participants who spent more time online and those who performed more image management evidenced more clinical symptoms of major depression. Also, it isn’t helpful that with the feedback immediacy of social media can instantaneously change acceptance or rejection into numbers with likes, views, and follower count (or lack thereof). Relying on these criteria for boosting self-esteem, can lead to a negative view of oneself and a lack of sense of self.  Popularity and immediate feedback can cause teenagers to post short videos for fun into addiction. When likes and views start flooding in, the brain will instinctively release a large amount of dopamine, which can leave us with a happy feeling which reinforces the behavior and causes the brain to crave more, this scenario is called the reward pathway.  

Another major problem that TikTok can harm these teen creators is the lack of privacy due to being watched by millions of people around the world in real-time. In 2020, Charlie D’Amelio outed her ex-boyfriend for cheating on Twitter, in front of the whole internet. Tiktok stars have lost privacy within their personal relationships. This lack of privacy can cause major issues and cause even more harm to teen influencers. According to David Schwartz, Oakland University Counseling Center director, social media can be problematic since it can cause and intensify relationship issues that would be better to handle off the internet. “The difficult thing is that it’s hard to express yourself the same way you would in person. Oftentimes, things can get misrepresented or misconstrued by the person who is reading it when it’s been posted, which can cause relationship problems, too…” This can cause teen influencers to become stressed as not only have to deal with these issues in front of the world but also deal with potential bullying and criticism from the public. All in all, these teen Tik Tok stars will not only face the struggles of child fame but also the complication of being watched by the world and addiction to the instant gratification that TikTok provides.  

Nonetheless, fame can bring some benefits to teenage creators with boundaries in place. Teenage influencers can use the TikTok platform to share their passions and/or create a community to deepen their appreciation of their interest(s) which can have a positive effect on their mental health or even their daily lives. For example, StudyTok, the studying community within TikTok, is a place where students can share and find study and organizing tips for school. Tiktok stars, such as Loren Gray and the D’Amelio siblings, have received major opportunities such as featuring in music videos, becoming Ambassadors for Brands, or even record deals as a result of their fame. With a bit of luck, any teen can attain the amazing opportunities and benefits from putting out genuine creative content. 

Written By: TLC Intern Emma Joseph

References:

Rosen, L. D., Cheever, N. A., & Carrier, L. M. (2012). iDisorder: Understanding our obsession with technology and overcoming its hold on us. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. Sokol, S. (2013, February 20). Constant connection: The psychological impact of social media.OU News Bureau. Retrieved November 12, 2021, from http://www.ounewsbureau.com/?p=4314.