TikTok, a social media app used by many, has been experiencing lots of controversy. TikTok is an app that enables people to create, share, and discover videos. It has impacted many lives and is a great app used to connect.

Though the app brings many positives, negatives also arise. Many people are concluding that TikTok is bad for our mental health, so we have begun to wonder: Is TikTok really bad for our mental health? One student agrees with TikTok being bad for us and states, “I often find myself comparing to others on TikTok.” Self-comparison can lead to feeling low self-esteem, bringing depression and/or anxiety. It is understandable that people who are prone to feeling low self-esteem, can feel negatively about social media.

Another student states, “I feel more confident about myself because of the likes and comments I receive.” The positive comments on a person’s TikTok post makes them feel incredibly positive. Though the app brings positivity, there are many creators on TikTok, who do not receive the same positivity. Receiving hate on an app made for everyone to be creative and freely express themselves can really take a toll on a person. This can result in mental health issues.

I believe that TikTok can have positive and negative attributes relating to our mental health. The app has opened many doors for people. On TikTok, you can find people who are interested in the same things as you; it enables you to make connections.

I do also believe that TikTok can negatively impact our mental health. With people constantly posting their lives that can seem “perfect,” it can often have a person comparing what they see on a screen to real life. Hate comments can also negatively impact a person.

Nevertheless, the app is positively used to spread awareness about things and brings joy to many people. It brightens many people’s days with just a 15 second clip. I think that this app can positively impact everyone if used with precaution, and if you start to find yourself feeling negative while on the TikTok app, it is advised to just take a break. A break, when needed, benefits everyone.