I spend a lot of time on social media. Like…a lot. It’s partially due to the fact that I work in social media, but even when I’m not working, I’m scrolling.
Lately, a lot of the content I’m consuming is from TikTok. It’s my most-used app, according to my phone’s screen time report. I’ll spend hours a day just scrolling through TikTok, sometimes not even engaging or interacting with the videos I’m watching. It’s gotten to the point that the app is now hyper-specific to my interests and personality.
In some ways, it’s amazing how a social media platform like TikTok can create a sense of belonging and community. In other ways, it’s kind of scary because, if I let it, it can alter my worldview.
A few weeks ago, I was talking to my partner about the types of things I see on TikTok, and I just assumed we saw similar content. It hadn’t even occurred to me that the algorithm had gotten so specific to each of our own unique interests that we weren’t in the same niche of TikTok. We even have similar interests.
Since realizing just how specific TikTok can be, I’ve been working on making sure I don’t get too wrapped up in it. Social media is a powerful tool used to spread information, but it can be harmful if you let it impact your worldview too much.
Take a break from social media when you need to. It’s okay to step away and come back later.
As always, stay safe + stay healthy.
Xo,
Kayla W.