TikTok Launches Wellness Features Amid Concerns Over Youth Mental Health

TikTok has introduced new wellness features aimed at promoting healthier habits among its users, particularly teenagers. The updates, which were added to the platform’s “Time and Well-being space” last month, include tools for practicing mindfulness, such as breathing exercises, soothing sounds, and positive affirmations. While TikTok presents these initiatives as a positive step for mental health, critics warn that they may serve as another means for the social media giant to collect user data.

The new features allow users to earn badges by completing “wellness missions,” which encourage practices like limiting screen time and taking breaks from the app at night. According to TikTok, early testing showed that nearly 40 percent of users who encountered these missions opted to engage with them. This rollout comes at a time when TikTok faces legal action from over a dozen U.S. states, alleging that the platform’s addictive nature harms young users’ mental health.

In an interview, Zachery Dereniowski, a mental health advocate and influencer with more than 25 million followers on TikTok, noted the potential benefits of positive content on the platform. He emphasized the importance of incorporating self-care practices into the app, particularly for younger audiences who may be susceptible to its addictive qualities.

The development of TikTok’s wellness hub was influenced by feedback from teenagers who expressed a desire for tools to manage their social media consumption. This input was supplemented by consultations with industry experts and TikTok’s Global Youth Council, which includes over 25 teens from various regions, including Canada.

Despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding the platform’s overarching goal. Riley McNair, a PhD student at the University of Toronto researching children’s privacy, pointed out that many users may feel they have no choice but to utilize these digital tools to build healthy habits. She described the normalization of using online platforms for wellness as troubling, suggesting that these features are optional and may only attract those already aware of their need to manage their usage.

McNair expressed skepticism about the wellness hub, describing it as “just another data collection mechanism.” She highlighted that while users engage with wellness features, TikTok still benefits from their prolonged presence on the app, allowing the company to gather more data and tailor its services.

In response to growing criticism and legal scrutiny, some analysts believe TikTok’s initiative may be an attempt to preempt potential regulatory restrictions. Ritesh Kotak, a technology and cybersecurity analyst based in Toronto, noted that while TikTok is taking steps to address mental health concerns, the underlying business model incentivizes keeping users engaged rather than encouraging them to log off.

Legal challenges against TikTok, including a lawsuit from Kentucky officials, allege that the platform’s own research links excessive usage to negative mental health outcomes like anxiety and body image issues. TikTok and other platforms, such as Meta and Snapchat, are facing similar accusations from school districts claiming they target teens despite being aware of the addictive nature of their services.

Recently, TikTok has implemented features such as screen time alerts and a meditation guide that activates after 10 p.m. for users aged 13-16. The company reported that 98 percent of teenagers who tried the meditation feature opted to keep it activated. TikTok has refuted the claims made in the lawsuits, stating that they are misleading. In a communication with CBC News, a spokesperson emphasized the platform’s investment of billions in safety and privacy features, including options for teen accounts and content restrictions.

Research from the University of British Columbia analyzed TikTok videos and found concerning portrayals of products like nicotine pouches, which could negatively impact youth health. TikTok maintains that it collaborates with mental health organizations to enhance digital literacy and youth safety while investing in research to inform its features.

As the conversation around youth mental health and social media continues, both McNair and Kotak advocate for stronger legislative measures to protect young users. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has begun consultations aimed at developing a children’s privacy code, while the federal government is working on updating the Online Harms Act of 2024.

Dereniowski, the TikTok influencer, stresses the importance of cultivating healthy habits outside of the digital realm. He believes that individuals should engage in activities that promote presence and well-being, such as cooking, exercising, and spending time in nature. “We’ve all doomscrolled too many times,” he said. “No one feels good after doomscrolling.” He encourages young users to explore various self-care methods to discover what works best for them, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.