Reasons Why Some Experts Advocate Deleting TikTok

Delete TikTok? Why would anyone want to delete TikTok?

That may have been your initial reaction to the title of this article — and almost all of the app’s 2+ billion users would probably agree with you. TikTok has provided them with countless hours, days, and years of entertainment, information, and enjoyment while becoming one of the world’s top-five social media platforms.

Some experts have other opinions, though. They argue that regular use of the app can endanger the health, safety, and even intelligence of TikTok users, and many say the best thing users can do to protect themselves from the risks is to delete TikTok entirely.

Do they have valid points? Let’s find out.

Is TikTok a National Security Risk?

The United States and many other countries think so. That’s why America approved a TikTok ban (which is still in abeyance as of this writing), many Western nations ban the installation or use of the app on government phones, and other countries have prohibited the platform from operating within their borders.

Here’s the reason.

TikTok is a Chinese-owned app, and Chinese law requires all companies in that country to hand over the data it collects to the government upon demand. That would theoretically mean that information on all 2+ billion app users — everything from locations and search histories to voice prints and contacts — could wind up in the hands of a potential enemy.

There’s one more possible issue. TikTok has allegedly used the app to track activists, journalists, and others without their knowledge. Privacy advocates and many government officials fear that the platform’s ability to do the same to foreign officials and others in sensitive positions makes national security concerns even more valid.

TikTok may eventually be sold to non-Chinese owners, possibly mitigating many of those worries. Anyone who fears that governments or large corporations might be tracking them, though, might sensibly consider deleting the app.

Is TikTok Hazardous to Users’ Lives and Mental Health?

There’s no definitive proof, of course, but some experts say that social media can be addictive to the point that it impacts users’ daily function and productivity. TikTok is singled out by many critics who say that the app’s proprietary algorithms are designed to extend users’ time spent watching TikTok videos dramatically.

There are theoretical issues aside from “wasted time” as well.

Some researchers say exposure to other users’ idealized versions of themselves, as portrayed in their TikTok content, can lead to feelings of inferiority and inadequacy, damaging their self-images. They also warn that the nature of most TikTok posts tends toward the superficial, causing heavy users to focus on qualities like physical appearance instead of intelligence.

Does TikTok Hurt the Way That Users Think?

There are experts who believe it does.

The prevalence of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and other harmful “fake news” on TikTok and other social apps is magnified by many people’s inclinations to silo themselves in echo chambers, which are filled with like-minded individuals who amplify the false information even further.

Experts argue that the system detracts from and damages users’ ability to research and evaluate controversial and difficult issues. They say the danger doesn’t only involve political or policy matters, but can also pose health and wellness problems as well; one example they cite is the regular glorification of weight loss caused by eating disorders.

It’s unreasonable to expect most users who are confronted with the potential risks of TikTok use to delete the app from their phones and devices. Simply being aware of the possible dangers, however, may convince some to reduce the amount of time they spend on the platform and invest those hours into more productive and possibly healthier activities.