Does TikTok’s Algorithm Really Drive Teens To Suicide?

• Considered dangerous, the TikTok algorithm could be…deadly
• This could drive some users to suicide
• Depressions and suicides are on the rise… because of social networks

It’s been a little over five years since the social network TikTok invaded our daily lives. Over the years, the platform has been able to evolve to better adapt to the needs of its users, in particular with longer videos. Enough to allow the Chinese company Bytedance to record record results, and to largely inspire all the competition, which sometimes seems to be chasing after TikTok.

TikTok’s algorithm deemed dangerous… even deadly

Indeed, you have probably already “blocked” in front of a thread of videos offered automatically on Instagram or on Facebook. It’s normal, Reels are designed to be as targeted and addictive as possible, just like TikTok videos, whose algorithm manages to constantly offer new content that can keep the user glued to their screen.

However, this same algorithm, as effective as it is, would be considered dangerous by many psychologists and other child psychiatrists. Worse, the latter could be the direct cause of various ailments such as depression or even self-harm, and could even push the most vulnerable young users… to suicide.

A few weeks ago, Shou Chew, the CEO of TikTok was facing the American congress, and had tried to defend the platform, in the face of particularly explicit accusations from various American deputies, in particular concerning the death of a teenager. Added to this is the fact that TikTok is also considered a spy tool in the service of the Chinese government.

If TikTok defends itself from any form of accusation, you should know that the application, designed in China by Chinese engineers, is not downloadable… in China. Also, for many observers, TikTok would be nothing more than a harmful application, developed by China, intended for other countries of the world.

Still, the platform is often at the heart of many controversies, with the infamous “TikTok challenges”, but also very violent content or even very sexualized videos, often aimed at underage users, offered in the stream “ For you”.

Many studies agree that TikTok could indeed “glorify” death through certain videos, and push its users to suicide. In the United States, theAmerican Psychological Association believes that the significant increase in suicide attempts around the world, among young people, is largely caused by social networks, and the intense frustration that they can generate, and in particular… by TikTok. So be careful.