"This article reviews how these effects require looking beyond surface-level concerns to examine how teens actually use the platform, what content they encounter, and how their individual vulnerabilities shape their experiences. TikTok's algorithm operates differently from other social media platforms. Rather than relying primarily on social connections, it uses sophisticated machine learning to deliver an endless stream of content tailored to each user's preferences. This creates what neuroscientists call a variable reward schedule, the same mechanism that makes slot machines so addictive."
"Teens scroll through videos, never knowing whether the next swipe will deliver something hilarious, fascinating, or emotionally resonant. This unpredictability triggers dopamine releases in the brain's reward centers. Over time, the brain begins craving these hits, making it increasingly difficult for teens to put their phones down. Studies show that teens spend an average of 91 minutes per day on TikTok, with many exceeding three hours of daily use. The platform's design capitalizes on what psychologists call 'flow state,' where users lose track of time while scrolling."
TikTok reaches over 150 million U.S. users and exerts major influence on teenagers' daily lives. The platform's personalized algorithm delivers an endless stream of short videos via a variable reward schedule, triggering intermittent dopamine releases that encourage prolonged scrolling. Teens average 91 minutes per day on the app, with many exceeding three hours. The short-form design promotes flow states and quick satisfaction, which can undermine sustained attention, homework completion, and sleep schedules. Teen experiences vary by what content they encounter and by individual vulnerabilities, producing both concerning mental health patterns and unexpected social, creative, or informational benefits.
Read at Social Media Explorer
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