TikTok, 35 minutes that can change a life

TikTok is a global phenomenon that continues to grow in popularity. The short video application has become essential,especially among the youngest.A meteoric rise hides a much darker reality.

WhileTikTok faces ban in the United Statesand must face numerous legal actions in several states,a lawsuit filed by Kentucky undermines the Chinese company.

An addictive format that traps teenagers

According to new informationthe company was fully aware of the riskslinked to excessive use of its app. Accidentally leaked internal documents show thatjust 35 minutes of use would be enough to create a real addiction among users.

To understand how TikTok manages to get you addicted so quickly, you have to look at how it works. Upon registration, the application's algorithm carefully analyzes the way each user consumes the videos offered to them.

Using this data, TikTok is then able to serve tailor-made content, specially designed to capture attention and keep it as long as possible. It's this ultra-short, personalized format that makes the app so addictive, especially for teenagers whose brains are still developing.

Alarming consequences for development

But ByteDance didn't just create an addictive app. Internal documents reveal that the company was fully aware of the damage this addiction could cause, particularly among younger people.

According to these reports, compulsive TikTok use is correlated with a range of negative mental health effects.Loss of analytical skills, memory problems, increased anxiety…The list is long and worrying.

Worse still,TikTok addiction interferes with essential responsibilitiessuch as sleep, schoolwork or relationships with loved ones. Major developmental consequences which did not prevent ByteDance from continuing to push its application, with full knowledge of the facts.

Faced with these revelations, it seems important for ByteDance to question concrete solutions. The company already imposes certain measures on young people, such asa screen limit of 60 minutes,but they have little effect.In reality, this limit is not respected.

TikTok is not an isolated case. Many apps use similar techniques to addict their users, regardless of the consequences for their well-being, butTikTok seems to be the most perverse app in this area.