A study from the University of Minnesota reveals that TikTok’s unique algorithm can both provide a sense of community and self-discovery for users, while also potentially exposing them to harmful content that can negatively impact mental health. The researchers emphasize the importance of understanding the platform’s algorithm and being mindful of its potential to promote distressing content.
The research by the investigators will appear in the proceedings of the Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. They will be showcasing their study at the soon-to-be-held conference, which will take place from April 23rd to 28th. TikTok is different from other social media platforms in that it is primarily run by a recommender system algorithm that displays videos it thinks you will like on your “For You Page” feed, as opposed to mostly showing posts from accounts you follow. While this can be great for showing you more content that you like, it can also lead to a rabbit hole of negative content that’s nearly impossible to escape from, the researchers said.
The research participants also expressed that it’s difficult to discern when TikTok creators are posting emotional or intense mental health content genuinely, or if they’re just “chasing clout” to gain more followers and likes. Many participants were forced to take breaks or quit using the platform entirely because of the stress it caused.
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