TikTok Expands Mental Health Resources - Addressing Teen Wellbeing

TikTok Introduces New Well-being Features

TikTok has recently announced the implementation of new strategies designed to inform its user base regarding the potential adverse effects of social media on mental health. These updates include the launch of a “well-being guide” within the platform’s Safety Center.

This guide serves as an introductory resource concerning eating disorders, alongside expanded search interventions and optional viewing screens for searches that could be potentially upsetting.

Collaboration with Mental Health Organizations

The new well-being guide was created through partnerships with several prominent organizations, including the International Association for Suicide Prevention, Crisis Text Line, Live For Tomorrow, Samaritans of Singapore, and Samaritans (UK).

This collaboration aims to provide more focused guidance to TikTok users, prompting them to carefully consider the implications of sharing their personal mental health experiences on a platform where content can rapidly achieve widespread visibility.

Encouraging Thoughtful Sharing

TikTok is encouraging users to reflect on their motivations for sharing, their readiness for a broad audience, the potential for harm, and their preparedness to engage with responses from others.

Furthermore, the platform has added a concise informational section regarding the impact of eating disorders to the “topics” area of the Safety Center, developed in conjunction with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

Expanded Search Interventions

TikTok already directs users to relevant local support resources when searches include terms like #suicide. Now, the platform will also present content from creators specifically chosen to offer assistance to those in need.

Content selection was made after consulting with independent experts. Additionally, searches that may yield alarming results – such as “scary makeup,” as cited by TikTok – will now display blurred content, requiring users to actively choose to view the search results.

Instagram Under Scrutiny

These changes at TikTok occur as its competitor, Instagram, faces increased criticism following the release of internal Facebook documents by The Wall Street Journal. These documents reveal Facebook’s own research into the detrimental effects Instagram can have on teenage girls.

Similar to TikTok, Instagram’s user base is largely comprised of young people, with over 40% being 22 years old or younger. Approximately 22 million teenagers access Instagram daily in the United States.

One individual interviewed by The Wall Street Journal reported that after searching for workout content on Instagram, their explore page became dominated by images related to weight loss. Instagram has acknowledged past issues with its search functionality, which previously suggested topics like “fasting” and “appetite suppressants.”

Angela Guarda, director of the eating-disorders program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, stated to The Wall Street Journal that her patients frequently report learning about unsafe weight loss methods through social media.

The Complex Relationship Between Social Media and Well-being

Instagram addressed the concerns in a blog post, stating, “The question on many people’s minds is if social media is good or bad for people. The research on this is mixed; it can be both.”

Like TikTok, Instagram offers anti-harassment tools, well-being guides, and warnings regarding sensitive content.

Social media can provide a valuable support system, connecting individuals facing similar challenges and facilitating the exchange of experiences. However, users must exercise caution regarding the content they share and its potential influence on others.

Even internal experiments by Facebook, such as concealing the number of “likes” on Instagram, did not demonstrably improve user well-being. These findings regarding the negative impact of social media on mental health and body image are not new, but they intensify the pressure on these platforms to prioritize user support.

Resources for Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255, providing free and confidential support, as well as resources for prevention and crisis intervention.