Casey Butner

As Gen Z slips further into their TikTok addiction, students find it physically impossible to look away from their screens.

The gig is up – it’s time for TikTok to be banned. Although at first glance TikTok boasts an encouraging environment that brings generations together, this app is clearly detrimental, and today’s teenagers are facing its consequences. Gen Z is the most depressed generation yet, and although this does not all correlate with our social media usage, the majority of Gen Z’s problems stem from or can be linked to our obsession with social media, specifically TikTok. As someone who has felt the addictive side effects of TikTok firsthand, it’s time to officially move on from this app and consider banning it—for our own good.

Every generation has had its vice: whether it be drugs, cigarettes, or some other bad habit, different ages bring different addictions. However, Gen Z’s obsession with TikTok is possibly the most harmful because it affects an extremely large proportion of our generation. There could be an argument that all social media platforms cause at least some sort of “addiction”; however, TikTok clearly takes the cake against all of its competitors, with the average user scrolling for 26 hours a month.

The obsession Gen Z has with TikTok becomes more evident every day. Whether it be in the halls, during class, or for hours on end every night, Gen Z can’t seem to take their eyes off of their screen. The results from this have gotten to be destructive; most teenagers can’t read, finish a book, complete their homework, or even sit through a whole movie without feeling the need to scroll, thus proving that TikTok is truly a “drug.” It’s gotten to the point where some users even post about their addiction, asking for advice on how to stop spending so much time on the app. TikTok’s quick and perfectly curated videos help promote a cycle of “instant gratification” to the brain, which makes it harder to focus on tasks that require a large amount of attention and can introduce and even worsen symptoms of ADHD. This shortens your attention span and can diminish habits the brain has previously set up.

Furthermore, there have been increasing conversations about Gen Z’s lack of having a “third space” or a special place for a person outside of their home and workplace. Whereas other generations ventured to bookstores, theatres, parks, treehouses, or gyms, Gen Z’s third place has become TikTok. TikTok is something that teens find sanctuary in, and because of the perfectly curated algorithm the app advertises, teens feel safe, heard, and appreciated by their customized “for you” page.

After a long day of school or an exhausting practice, TikTok is what I reward myself with. Not only that, it has become my, and many others, “third space.” It’s so unbelievably easy to feel comfortable with TikTok after being on the app for roughly five years; my customized “for you” page knows me better than most. Despite this, a planned 20-minute session quickly increases to multiple hours, and I find myself tired, my brain fried, but physically unable to stop scrolling.

Many members of Gen Z have attempted to put an end to their addiction, but TikTok makes it nearly impossible to delete the app. If you decide to leave TikTok, you will firstly lose all of your “drafts,” which are unposted videos you have saved. Most of my friends have roughly 500 to 1,000 drafts, yet those will be gone in the blink of an eye if you delete the app. Additionally, you will lose communication with your friends; sharing TikToks via the app is a popular way many teens use today to connect.

Many people have lost the previous habits that they had set up prior to TikTok. Teenagers of other generations read more, played more, and were able to socialize better. While TikTok may seem like a harmless and entertaining app, its detrimental effects on our generation are undeniable. This addiction has shortened attention spans, caused a lack of real-world social interaction, and promoted harmful content. We need to seriously reconsider its place in Generation Z’s life, especially as we move further into adulthood. For the sake of our well-being, it’s time to say goodbye to TikTok.