An accidentally leaked internal document from TikTok reveals that ByteDance has long been aware of the app’s highly addictive nature for children and its harmful effects on their mental and social development. The documents also show that ByteDance knew the screen-time management tool they introduced was ineffective and merely a PR move.
Lawsuits Facing TikTok
ByteDance is currently facing potential TikTok bans in both the US and Europe, along with lawsuits filed by attorneys general in multiple US states. According to NPR, more than a dozen state attorneys general have sued the company, accusing TikTok of violating consumer protection laws and contributing to a mental health crisis among teenagers.
These attorneys general are seeking to force TikTok to modify product features that they argue are manipulative and harmful to teens.
TikTok’s Addictive Nature Was Known Internally
In response to the lawsuits, ByteDance provided internal reports to the state governments. Although these documents were meant to remain confidential, a faulty redaction in the materials filed by Kentucky allowed certain parts to be revealed unintentionally.
The documents show that ByteDance knew children could become addicted to TikTok in less than 35 minutes. Specifically, internal research found that watching around 260 videos was enough for users to become dependent on the platform. Given that TikTok videos can be as short as 8 seconds, children can quickly form this habit.
The Negative Impact on Children’s Development
The documents further reveal that prolonged use of TikTok negatively affects children’s mental and social development. TikTok’s internal research stated that “compulsive usage correlates with a range of negative mental health effects, including a decline in analytical abilities, memory formation, contextual thinking, conversational depth, empathy, and increased anxiety.”
In addition, the documents show that excessive use of TikTok also interferes with essential personal responsibilities such as adequate sleep, school or work tasks, and connecting with loved ones.
Screen-Time Management Tool Was Just a PR Stunt
While ByteDance introduced a screen-time management tool with a default limit of 60 minutes, the company was fully aware that children could easily bypass the limit. Tests showed that the tool had a negligible impact, reducing average screen time by only 1.5 minutes—from 108.5 minutes to 107 minutes.
These revelations further highlight the potential harm TikTok poses to teenagers. If your children use TikTok, it’s highly recommended to read more about these developments in greater detail.
