Exploring Problematic TikTok Use and Mental Health Issues: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies
Jain L, Velez L, Karlapati S, Forand M, Kannali R, Yousaf RA, Ahmed R, Sarfraz Z, Sutter PA, Tallo CA, Ahmed S
Journal of primary care & community health · 21 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-03-19 · J Prim Care Community Health · vol. 16 · p. 21501319251327303
- Publisher
- SAGE Publishing
- Cited
- 54 citations · more than 100% of similar papers · 18.5× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 54 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC
- Research areas
- Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Child Development and Digital Technology
- Keywords
- TikTok, social media addiction, mental health, anxiety, depression, university students, young adults, gender differences, socioeconomic status, neuroticism, screen time, digital literacy, media literacy, parental mediation
- MeSH
- humans, mental health, mental disorders, adolescent, adult, female, male, social media, internet addiction disorder
11 authors
From US, PK
- Lakshit JainUConn Health
- Luis A. VélezUConn Health
- Surya KarlapatiOregon State Hospital
- Mary ForandBoston College
- Rajasekhar KannaliNovant Health
- Rao Ahmed Yousaf
Abstract
Background
Since its launch in 2017, TikTok has rapidly emerged as a major player in the digital landscape, amassing over a billion active users. Its engaging features have raised concerns about potential problematic use and negative mental health outcomes. Despite increasing scholarly attention, a consolidated understanding of TikTok's problematic use potential and implications remains elusive This systematic review synthesizes empirical research on problematic TikTok use and its impact on mental health.
Methods
This review followed PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines and conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases until July 10, 2024. Keywords included terms related to TikTok use, addiction, and problematic use. Studies were included based on empirical focus and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Data extraction comprised study characteristics, measures of TikTok problematic use, and related mental health outcomes. Quality assessment used JBI, Cochrane's RoB 2, MMAT, CASP, and NOS tools. The protocol was registered in OSF: https://osf.io/cjf97.
Results
This review included 26 studies, involving a total of 11 462 participants. The pooled prevalence of TikTok use was estimated at 80.19%, with the highest rates observed among people aged 18 to 29 years, where it reached 85.4%. Frequent use of TikTok was closely linked with an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially in users aged under 24 years. Female users were more likely to experience problematic TikTok use, with 67.3% of such cases found among female university students. Moreover, higher addiction scores were noted among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those who had higher levels of neuroticism.
Conclusion
The findings of this review highlight the growing concern surrounding the impact of problematic TikTok use on mental health, particularly among younger and more vulnerable populations. It is imperative for stakeholders to prioritize the integration of digital literacy and media literacy into educational curricula. Moreover, the involvement of caregivers through guided mediation and the establishment of clear usage parameters could play a crucial role in managing screen time, particularly for younger users. To improve the current landscape of empirical research, longitudinal and interventional research is warranted.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC).
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