Can’t stop scrolling! Adolescents’ patterns of TikTok use and digital well-being self-perception

Digital well-being, which refers to a balanced individual experience of digital consumption, has been gaining attention recently in the study of the effects of digital technology use. Social networks are central in debates over digital well-being, as social media overuse is often identified as a primary issue. Teenagers who spend an average of three hours daily on social media especially draw the attention of researchers. Based on statistical evidence, TikTok is the most popular network among young users worldwide. However, there are not many platform-specific studies on its effects on adolescent well-being. One of the most constant gaps is the lack of research on how different aspects involved in TikTok use impact adolescents’ digital well-being on the app. In light of this, the study aimed to explore the relationship between time spent on TikTok, content consumption, and self-perception of digital well-being. Given the scientific consensus on social media’s greater impact on girls, this study also sought to examine gender differences. For that purpose, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 737 Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 18, who completed an online questionnaire with validated scales and items on daily usage time, type of content consumption, and digital well-being. Results showed significant gender differences in TikTok usage and content consumption: girls spent more time on TikTok and notably engaged more with beauty and fashion content, while boys with video games and sports content, suggesting that traditional gender roles are still present in their choices of content consumption. Beyond that, a rather positive self-perception of digital well-being on TikTok by teenagers was observed. Despite this, an increased TikTok usage was associated with a reduced ability to set boundaries and limit their time on the app. These findings highlight the need for measures to limit the time adolescents spend on TikTok, such as mandatory parental controls on electronic devices and educational programs aimed at promoting healthy digital habits.