As one of the most widely used social media and video platforms in the world, TikTok also carries the distinction of being one of the most controversial. Shocking documents related to TikTok, and its parent company ByteDance, which is accused of negatively affecting both children and adults, have been leaked to the press. Here are the confessions from the company’s side…

ByteDance and TikTok admit they are harmful!

Secret documents belonging to ByteDance, the parent company of social media giant TikTok, have revealed the app’s negative impact on children. These documents, accidentally disclosed during a lawsuit filed by the state of Kentucky, contain results from TikTok’s internal research.

Here are the key points from the leaked documents:

• TikTok has found that users can become addicted to the platform after watching just 260 videos (about 35 minutes).
• The company was aware that the app harms children’s mental and social development.
• TikTok’s internal research shows that excessive use negatively affects analytical skills, memory formation, contextual thinking, and empathy.
• The app also disrupts users’ sleep patterns, causes neglect of school and work responsibilities, and weakens communication with loved ones.

According to court documents, ByteDance knew that the screen time limitation tool added to the app was ineffective. This tool only reduced daily usage by 1.5 minutes (from 108.5 minutes to 107 minutes). Company officials officially admitted during the trial that this measure was merely a public relations move.

TikTok is not only facing potential bans in the U.S., but also in Europe. Despite having billions of users worldwide, the app’s negative impact, especially on younger users, is being discussed more and more every day.

What do you think about this issue? Do you think the platform is harmful to young people and other audiences? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments.