When TikTok briefly went offline this weekend, the ripple effects were undeniable. Social media feeds on Facebook and Instagram were flooded with posts from users wondering what to do with their time. It was as if the world collectively paused, uncertain of how to proceed without this ubiquitous app. For a fleeting moment, we glimpsed a life without TikTok, and in that pause, we missed an important opportunity to reflect and take action.
Image create using ChatGPT
This wasn’t just about one app disappearing temporarily. It was a moment to recognize the need for greater regulation and responsibility in the social media landscape. As a parent, educator, and advocate for mental wellness, I believe this moment should serve as an eyeopener to the profound issues caused by unchecked social media useespecially for kids.
The Need for Regulation
Social media platforms, including TikTok, have a significant impact on our lives, and it’s time we acknowledge the areas where these platforms fall short. Kids routinely override age restrictions to create accounts, bypassing user agreements designed to protect them. Meanwhile, these platforms collect massive amounts of user data, selling it for profit with little transparency. But the greatest concern isn’t just privacy; it’s the impact on mental wellness.
The Mental Wellness Crisis
For kids, social media has become less about creativity and connection and more about consumption. They’re not just scrolling; they’re being shaped by algorithms designed to keep them engaged. Social media platforms often present unrealistic expectations for appearance, abilities, and lifestyles. Kids are chasing “likes,” “shares,” and “engagement” as though it’s their job, often at the expense of their self-worth and mental health.
Image created by Chat GPT
These platforms operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, with no built-in guardrails to encourage balance. Netflix once asked, “Are you still watching?” after extended viewing. Imagine if social media platforms prompted users with similar reminders: “You’ve been scrolling for an hour. Is it time to take a break?” They have the data to implement such features but choose not to because keeping users plugged in serves their bottom line. Additionally, parents often overlook the controls available in settings and operating systems that could help kids build much-needed self-regulation skills. Tools like screen time monitoring, app limits, and focus modes can empower families to create healthier habits. For more guidance, check out my Apple Education forum post on this topic here.
We also have the ability to see exactly how long we’re on our devices each day and which apps consume the most time, but few take the time to look. What could be done with that time instead? Do you spend as much time with the person you love, your kids, your dog, your hobby, or on improving your health and future as you do on these apps? What if you did? And shouldn’t we know? What do we have to show for that time? This awareness is key. We need to use our devices betternot just to consume, but to create and to connect in meaningful ways.
Perhaps it’s time for social media platforms to adopt operating hours, just like a store. Imagine if these platforms had designated times when they were unavailable, forcing users to step away and engage with the real world. Such a feature could help restore balance, encourage healthier habits, and give people the time they need to reconnect with their priorities.
(Full disclosure: I am not a Tik Tok consumer, but my children are, but I do understand some people use it in great ways and for business. My poison of choice is Instagram. I have set hard boundaries for myself.)
The Role of Parents and Leaders
As a parent, I try to help my kids manage their time on social media, but it’s a challenging battle. These platforms are designed to be addictive. Devices drain energy just as their users are drained of emotional and mental vitality from consuming endless streams of curated content. Kids today often go places not for the experience but to post about it, valuing the “share” over the moment itself.
Leaders, whether they are policymakers, educators, or platform developers should not miss this opportunity to make a difference. Social media platforms should be doing more to help kids and adults practice self-regulation and restore mental wellness. Instead of lamenting the brief absence of TikTok, we should be asking: How can we use this disruption to create lasting, positive change?
A Call to Action
This recent TikTok outage should be a wake-up call. Let’s take a closer look at the time spent on these platforms, the mental health challenges they exacerbate, and the lack of privacy protections. Social media companies have the tools and data to encourage healthier usage patterns. They should prioritize users’ well-being over profits and implement meaningful features to promote balance and self-regulation.
It’s time to hold social media platforms accountable for their role in shaping our mental wellness. It’s time to advocate for policies that protect kids and create healthier online environments for everyone. Let’s not wait for another outage to start this conversation. The moment to act is now.
Always forward,
Kelly
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Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
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