The article discusses the alarming trend of children, specifically in the age group of 5-7, using TikTok and the negative impact of social media platforms on youth mental health. It highlights the concept of “dopamine culture” promoted by Big Tech, which encourages addictive behavior through fast-paced scrolling and swiping. The author argues that these interfaces function like slot machines, providing a dopamine boost and keeping users glued to their screens to maximize advertising revenues. The article presents data showing the rapid rise in TikTok usage among children, challenges the defense that excessive screen time is only correlated with mental health issues, and emphasizes the significant amount of time youngsters spend online. It also raises concerns about the role of tech leaders and calls for honest discussions about the impact of technology on society.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% of Children Ages 5-7 Are on TikTok | Increase in young children on TikTok | Likely more young children on TikTok | Addiction to social media platforms |
| Youth mental health problems accelerating | Deterioration of mental health in youths | Increased mental health issues in youths | Excessive screen time and social media use |
| Global smartphone usage accelerated in 2010 | Increase in smartphone usage worldwide | Higher prevalence of smartphones | Technological advancements |
| Children spending over 4 hours/day online | Increased time spent online by children | More time spent online by children | Easy accessibility to internet |
| Young children having their own phones | Rise in number of young children with phones | More young children owning smartphones | Technological advancements |
| Digital media role increases age 8-12 | increased involvement with digital media | Increased use of digital media by children | Easy accessibility to internet |
| Underage users having adult profiles | Accessing all content on platforms | More underage users accessing adult content | Lack of strict age verification measures |