In search of a respite from endless scrolling? How about a brief breathing routine, or perhaps some calming ocean melodies? Consider jotting down a positive affirmation. These activities are now accessible on TikTok. While the platform positions its fresh wellness features as beneficial for teenagers’ mental well-being, skeptics worry it signifies another step towards tech corporations monopolizing leisure time to amass more data.
Last month, TikTok introduced these features within its “Time and Well-being space,” tailored for its adolescent user base. Through completing “wellness missions,” such as refraining from TikTok at night, limiting screen time, and encouraging others to engage in these missions, users can earn badges. TikTok reports that nearly 40% of individuals encountering the missions opted to explore them.
These alterations coincide with TikTok facing legal action from over a dozen U.S. states regarding the alleged negative impact on teens’ mental health. Comparable criticisms are also directed at other tech giants like Meta, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Influencer and mental health advocate Zachery Dereniowski, alias MDMotivator, with a substantial TikTok following, emphasizes the potential benefits of engaging in positive or self-care activities on the platform, particularly for younger audiences.
TikTok asserts that the wellness hub was shaped by input from teenagers seeking tools to manage their social media use, as well as consultations with industry specialists and TikTok’s Global Youth Council, comprising over 25 teens, including Canadian representatives.
Riley McNair, a University of Toronto doctoral candidate focusing on children’s privacy and the influence of data technologies on their rights, underscores the challenge of finding untracked downtime in a landscape increasingly monetized by tech entities. The proliferation of online tools promoting healthy habits has become normalized, with users gravitating towards these digital solutions out of convenience.
McNair acknowledges that TikTok’s features could benefit certain teens but highlights that since they are optional and require activation via user settings, they may predominantly assist those already cognizant of the need to regulate their usage.
However, she views the wellness hub as primarily serving as another avenue for data collection. The perpetual engagement of users on platforms like TikTok is advantageous for companies in tailoring their products to specific user preferences.
Toronto-based technology and cybersecurity analyst Ritesh Kotak notes TikTok’s proactive stance in addressing mental health concerns among youth, potentially to preempt restrictive regulations. He identifies a trend where personal wellness apps with tailored features are in high demand.
Despite TikTok’s endeavors, it faces legal challenges from numerous state attorneys general, alleging that its algorithm induces addictive behavior and negatively impacts young users’ mental health. The platform has previously implemented features like screen time alerts and limits, as well as a guided meditation interrupting late-night scrolling for certain age groups.
TikTok has refuted the allegations in these lawsuits, emphasizing its substantial investments in Trust & Safety measures and offering various privacy and security settings for teens.
While TikTok collaborates with mental health and safety organizations, McNair and Kotak stress the necessity for legislative action to address privacy concerns and emphasize the importance of offline activities for well-being.
Dereniowski emphasizes the significance of cultivating healthy habits beyond digital platforms, advocating for activities like cooking, connecting with loved ones, and engaging in outdoor pursuits to alleviate anxiety and rejuvenate mental well-being.