DENVER, April 22, 2022 – A new study examines adolescent perspectives on mental health benefits and risks associated with TikTok use. Findings from the study will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2022 Meeting, taking place April 21-25 in Denver.
Credit: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
DENVER, April 22, 2022 – A new study examines adolescent perspectives on mental health benefits and risks associated with TikTok use. Findings from the study will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2022 Meeting, taking place April 21-25 in Denver.
“We conducted a focus group study to understand adolescent perspectives on mental health benefits and risks associated with TikTok use,” said Bradley Kerr, MS, researcher with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. “Participants often described how TikTok’s algorithm may uniquely enable adolescents to connect with peers around their interests and mental health struggles. Concerns such as excessive use of TikTok and peer comparison were also mentioned. Future work should focus on understanding and balancing these possible mental health benefit and risks.”
Focus groups were asked about what differentiates TikTok from other social media platforms as well as mental health benefits and risks. The first theme was connection with TikTok content. One participant described the TikTok algorithm, “Pretty quickly it can kind of catch on to what you’re interested in or what you find funny.” The second theme was challenges self-regulating TikTok use. One participant shared, “I downloaded TikTok during quarantine, and I would say I was addicted to it for a while. I had to delete it off my phone because it just kind of consumed an unnecessary amount of time.” The third theme was peer comparison. One participant shared that some TikTok videos “could definitely affect self-image, ’cause just unrealistic beauty standards, and really rich people, so that lifestyle’s not always the most attainable.” The fourth theme was mental health solidarity and competition. One participant reported, “It can be helpful in relating [to]…other people dealing with these kind of issues and kind of finding solidarity there, but on the other hand, it also can turn into competition.” A minor theme was risky and harmful trends.
Future studies should examine mental health consequences associated with adolescent TikTok concerns such as challenges self-regulating use, peer comparison, and unsupportive mental health interactions.
Mr. Kerr will present “Adolescent Perspectives on Mental Health Benefits and Risks Associated with TikTok Use” on Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. MDT. Reporters interested in an interview with Mr. Kerr should contact [email protected].
The PAS Meeting connects thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers worldwide. For more information about the PAS Meeting, please visit www.pas-meeting.org.
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About the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting
The Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting is the premier North American scholarly child health meeting. The PAS Meeting connects thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers worldwide. The PAS Meeting is produced through a partnership of four pediatric organizations that are leaders in the advancement of pediatric research and child advocacy: American Pediatric Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Academic Pediatric Association and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information, please visit www.pas-meeting.org. Follow us on Twitter @PASMeeting, Instagram PASMeeting and #PAS2022, and like us on Facebook PASMeeting.
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Abstract: Adolescent Perspectives on Mental Health Benefits and Risks Associated with TikTok Use
Topic
Social Media & Technology
Presenting Author
Bradley Kerr, MS
Organization
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Background
Over 60% of adolescents report regular use of TikTok. This social media platform’s focus on short videos could facilitate distinct usage patterns and mental health benefits and risks. Adolescent views on TikTok and mental health remain unknown.
Objective
To understand adolescent perspectives on mental health benefits and risks associated with TikTok use.
Design/Methods
Adolescents aged 13-18 were recruited from community groups and other key contacts who work with adolescents. Two trained facilitators conducted Zoom- based focus groups. Participants were asked to complete a brief survey about demographic characteristics and social media use. Focus groups asked about what differentiates TikTok from other social media platforms as well as mental health benefits and risks. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Theoretical saturation was assessed after three focus groups and reassessed and determined to have been met after six. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using the constant comparative method.
Results
Participants were 31 adolescents, including 14 (48.2%) who identified as female. Mean age was 16.2 (SD = 1.5). Most participants (n = 29, 93.5%) reported owning at least one social media account. The first theme was connection with TikTok content. One participant described the TikTok algorithm, “Pretty quickly it can kind of catch on to what you’re interested in or what you find funny.” The second theme was challenges self-regulating TikTok use. One participant shared, “I downloaded TikTok during quarantine, and I would say I was addicted to it for a while. I had to delete it off my phone because it just kind of consumed an unnecessary amount of time.” The third theme was peer comparison. One participant shared that some TikTok videos “could definitely affect self-image, ’cause just unrealistic beauty standards, and really rich people, so that lifestyle’s not always the most attainable.” The fourth theme was mental health solidarity and competition. One participant reported, “It can be helpful in relating [to]…other people dealing with these kind of issues and kind of finding solidarity there, but on the other hand, it also can turn into competition.” A minor theme was risky and harmful trends. For full theme descriptions and quotations, see Table 1.
Conclusion(s)
Future studies should examine mental health consequences associated with adolescent TikTok concerns such as challenges self-regulating use, peer comparison, and unsupportive mental health interactions.
Tables and Images
Table 1. Themes and illustrative quotations around adolescent perspectives on mental health benefits and risks of TikTok use
Kerr Tiktok abstract Table 1 PAS 1.3.2022.png
