TikTok, the video-sharing platform known for its creativity and entertainment, has a darker side that isn’t often discussed. It isn’t just the bullying and the trolling. With one swipe, you can enter an endless stream of content – but this content isn’t always positive or aligned with your values.
One of the more problematic aspects of TikTok is that its algorithm can easily lead you down a rabbit hole of negativity.
Finding yourself on the wrong side of TikTok
Watching even a single video with views or content you don’t agree with can cause the algorithm to serve you more of the same. This can result in a feed that doesn’t just challenge your beliefs but can also impact your mental health and perceptions of the world around you.
It is easy to find your feed is suddenly full of hostile debates on women’s rights, attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, and racially charged videos that perpetuate discrimination.
Not surprisingly, given the recent US election, there is plenty of political content on the platform, and a lot of it is fuelling polarisation and inciting further hatred.
There are also conspiracy theories and widespread fear-mongering. Once you spend time viewing this type of content, TikTok starts serving you more of the same.
The Algorithm’s Influence on Your Feed
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to keep users engaged by showing them more of what they seem to be interested in. If you engage with a video or spend time viewing it – even if it’s out of curiosity or disagreement – the algorithm registers your interest and will likely serve you similar content.
According to Buffer, TikTok analyses thousands of signals given by a user – such as likes, comments, video watch time and follows – to determine what kind of content they most want to see on their ‘For You’ page and in what order.
While this can work well when you’re interested in travel, music, crafts, fashion, or motivational speeches, it becomes problematic when you accidentally stumble upon toxic or negative content.
Suddenly, your feed might become a breeding ground for aggressive, hateful, or divisive material that does not align with your values. This exposure, even if unintended, can take a toll on your mental well-being.
The Aggressive Tone of Online Content
One of the most alarming aspects of TikTok’s dark side is the aggression that permeates both the content and the comments.
Creators and commenters alike can be remarkably unfiltered, with videos and discussions rife with foul language, insults, and expressions of extreme opinions.
In many cases, the things people say online would never be said face-to-face. This distance allows a level of hostility that can feel overwhelming, especially when encountered repeatedly.
Seeing people tear each other down or spread harmful views can make TikTok a stressful place to be, as negativity becomes the default tone on your feed.
The Mental Health Impact of TikTok’s Dark Side
Consistently seeing aggressive, hateful, or controversial content can have real effects on mental health. Exposure to negativity, even indirectly, can heighten stress and anxiety levels.
TikTok’s tendency to show you more of what you engage with can create an echo chamber that reinforces these emotions, making it hard to escape a cycle of negativity.
Research has shown that frequent exposure to online hostility can reduce empathy, increase feelings of loneliness, and even lead to symptoms of depression.
For a platform that millions turn to for a break from reality, this darker side of TikTok can be a toxic environment, adding to mental strain rather than alleviating it.
Navigating TikTok Mindfully
There are, of course, many positives to TikTok, and it is in fact my favourite of all the social media platforms. The app encourages creativity, learning, and community in a dynamic, engaging way. It can be fun and entertaining and a great way to gain insights into the lives, cultures, and experiences of others.
When you’re on the right side of TikTok, you’ll find it fosters a sense of community and connects individuals with shared interests worldwide. The short-form content is easy to consume and the FYP (For You Page) keeps the content fresh.
That said, there are benefits to taking a mindful approach to using TikTok if you want to avoid falling into the negatively trap and finding yourself on the wrong side of the app.
Taking back control of your TikTok feed
To protect your mental health, it is wise to avoid engaging with content that doesn’t align with your values, even if it piques your curiosity.
While TikTok’s algorithm can lead you down a negative path, you still have some control over what you see and engage with. You can take advantage of TikTok’s tools to hide or block content, and improve your feed by viewing content from the people you have chosen to follow, and hashtags you are interested in.
In the end, being aware of the darker side of TikTok allows us to navigate the platform more mindfully and to protect our mental health amidst an algorithm-driven digital landscape.
