Rewiring Youth Behaviour for the Short-Form Era

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TikTok has exploded as a dominant force among youth, with its algorithm-driven feeds captivating millions. This platform shapes behaviour by promoting viral challenges and trends that encourage mimicry and risk-taking, often at the expense of originality. Young users, drawn to its dopamine hits, develop habits of constant scrolling, leading to "TikTok brain" – a term for diminished focus and attention spans.

In terms of communication, TikTok favours visual and performative styles, where duets and stitches foster collaborative storytelling but can also spread misinformation rapidly. Teens learn to express emotions through filters and music, sometimes prioritizing aesthetics over authenticity.Lifestyle impacts are mixed. Positive trends like educational hacks or mental health awareness videos empower users, yet compulsive usage links to isolation, poor sleep, and even "contagion" of psychiatric symptoms. A 2025 study highlights how underage users face increased depression risks from unrestricted access.Ultimately, TikTok's influence underscores the need for age-appropriate controls to prevent behavioural overhauls that hinder real-world development.

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