Tired of endlessly scrolling through negative news? Why not take a moment for a brief breathing exercise, listen to calming ocean sounds, or write down a positive affirmation? These are all activities now available on TikTok, where the platform has introduced new wellness features aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of its teenage users. However, some critics are concerned that this move could further solidify tech companies’ control over our leisure time to gather more user data.
Last month, TikTok unveiled these features within its “Time and Well-being space,” specifically designed with teens in mind. Users can earn badges by completing “wellness missions” such as abstaining from TikTok at night, reducing screen time, and encouraging others to participate in these missions. TikTok reported that nearly 40% of individuals who encountered these missions opted to explore them.
This development comes as TikTok faces legal challenges from numerous U.S. states regarding its alleged negative impact on teens’ mental health. Similar criticisms are being directed at other tech giants like Meta, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Windsor, Ontario-based influencer and mental health advocate Zachery Dereniowski, known as MDMotivator with over 25 million TikTok followers, emphasized the potential benefits of engaging in positive activities or self-care practices on the app, particularly for its younger audience.
According to TikTok, the creation of the wellness hub was influenced by feedback from teens requesting tools to manage their social media usage, as well as input from industry experts and TikTok’s Global Youth Council, which includes over 25 teenage members, including representatives from Canada.
Riley McNair, a Ph.D. student at the University of Toronto specializing in children’s privacy and the impact of data technologies on their rights, highlighted the increasing difficulty in finding leisure time not monitored or exploited by tech corporations. She noted the normalization of using online tools to cultivate healthy habits, such as those promoted by TikTok and Meta.
McNair expressed reservations regarding TikTok’s wellness features, suggesting that while they may benefit some teens, they are primarily accessible through user settings and are likely to assist only those already aware of the importance of managing their usage.
Toronto-based technology and cybersecurity analyst Ritesh Kotak acknowledged TikTok’s proactive stance in addressing concerns surrounding youth mental health. However, he speculated that these efforts could partly be driven by a desire to preempt potentially restrictive regulations and legal actions. Kotak highlighted the trend of increasing consumer demand for personalized wellness apps and features.
TikTok’s move to include meditation and breathing exercises within the app to monopolize users’ leisure time aligns with the broader industry trend. The platform has been embroiled in legal battles, including lawsuits from multiple U.S. state attorneys general, alleging that its algorithm promotes addictive behavior harmful to children.
While TikTok has introduced features such as screen time alerts and meditation prompts, the platform is accused of continuing to target teens despite being aware of the addictive nature of their services. TikTok has refuted the claims made in these lawsuits, emphasizing its investment in Trust & Safety measures and privacy settings for teens.
McNair and Kotak both emphasized the need for legislative action to address privacy concerns and advocate for users’ rights in the digital space. They stressed the importance of empowering young social media users to control their online privacy effectively.
As a content creator, Dereniowski stressed the significance of establishing healthy habits outside of social media platforms. He suggested engaging in activities like cooking, connecting with family, playing sports, and spending time in nature to alleviate stress and recharge mental well-being.
In a mobile-centric world where convenience often trumps privacy, the debate over the impact of tech companies’ influence on users’ downtime and well-being continues to unfold. TikTok’s foray into wellness features reflects a broader societal shift towards utilizing online tools for self-care and habit-building, with implications for users’ mental health and data privacy.