Not being able to use TikTok anymore could also cause anxiety and stress among many
The United States has decided to ban TikTok, which will take effect from Sunday, January 19, barring over 170 million American users from accessing the platform. While many have requested that the ban’s enforcement date be pushed back, the Supreme Court earlier this week unanimously upheld the law.
For many people, this TikTok ban will constitute a major shift in how they spend their time, which could bring major changes to their mental and emotional health.
Psychologists say it would mean that most people, especially youngsters, are addicted to the internet or their mobile phones, and platforms like TikTok, which has a number of features like personalized algorithms, infinite scr, and notifications, make things worse for their brain health.
Also, a large number of people—especially teenagers and young adults—are prone to accessing technology.
What happens to mental health when TikTok shuts down?
Once the ban comes into effect, experts feel many people will find themselves instinctively reaching for their phone and trying to open the app, especially if they used to spend a lot of time watching videos. There will certainly be a feeling they are missing something.
Not being able to use TikTok anymore could also cause anxiety and stress among many, with psychologists considering many cases of low-grade depression also increasing.
Many experts say TikTok has been a place for people to connect—through groups and videos. No longer having access to those connections and the community—especially for those who are marginalized, can feel like a real loss. Studies say in the days after leaving social media platforms, many tend to feel less connected, less satisfied with their lives, and sad.
Benefits of TikTok ban on mental health
TikTok has been in the news many times for promoting unhealthy ideals like having content presenters with unrealistic body types and unrealistic displays of wealth that may give people something they might measure themselves against.
It also glamorised self-harm and drove disinformation, according to experts, which takes a big toll on mental health. And so, taking a break from this online platform can be healthy.
In a study released last year, a two-week break from social media was linked to better body image, while another research found a one-week break was linked to “significant improvements in well-being, depression, and anxiety.”
How to form a healthy relationship with social media?
Experts say in today’s times, it is difficult to achieve or even think of having a healthy relationship with the internet or social media as the use of mobile phones is normalised and the overuse doesn’t stop.
Many feel that with TikTok gone, those addicted would find other websites to spend more time on the internet. However, the ban is an opportunity to cut back on social media use.
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