Social Media, Hashtags, And The Mental Health Effects Of TikTok Trends

Social media is an increasingly dominant force in society, providing substantial benefits that allow people to connect, share ideas, and even earn a living. TikTok, specifically, has become an ecosystem where users can find both a community and a platform for their voices to be heard. While TikTok can be a force for good, it also presents challenges, including habitual use, misinformation, and cyberbullying. 

To avoid mental health-related concerns, it is essential to know how to engage with TikTok trends while understanding their potential impacts on emotional well-being, behavior, and self-image. Below, explore the impacts of TikTok trends, their potential negative effects, and ideas for using the platform responsibly and healthily.  

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Exploring trends on TikTok: Videos, hashtags, and beyond

TikTok is an increasingly popular social media platform where users can upload and share short videos on a range of topics. An estimated 63% of teenagers and 59% of young adults in the United States use TikTok. Videos on TikTok are characterized by their use of filters, trending audio, and brand-sponsored content. 

FYP, hashtags, and trending sounds

The TikTok algorithm is known for its ability to categorize users into various “sides” of the platform—communities where people can connect with like-minded individuals. For example, someone who “likes” multiple sports TikToks may find that they encounter more and more sports-related content. This typically occurs through an individual’s For You Page, often shortened to FYP. Through their FYP, users are presented with videos that they can scroll through, engage with, and share with others. 

Certain features, such as hashtags, make it easier for users to engage with content that interests them. TikTok videos typically include captions, allowing creators to describe their content. These captions often include hashtags at the end, which direct users who click on them to other videos featuring the same word or phrase. Trending audio is another popular feature of TikTok, enabling users to overlay pre-recorded songs, voiceovers, or other sounds onto their videos. While watching a video, you can click on an icon at the bottom of the screen to see who else is using that sound.  

Examples of trending TikTok videos

Popular TikTok videos can incorporate a variety of elements, including dancing, voiceovers, physical comedy, or visual effects. An early example of a trending TikTok video featured a text overlay that asked a series of questions, to which users responded through an audio recording that alternated between someone saying “yep” and “nope.” Another popular trend—“what’s in my camera roll?”—involves users posting pictures from their phones that often follow a specific theme (e.g., dogs). 

The benefits of TikTok and related platforms

TikTok and other social media platforms have had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of people around the world. Social media enables people to connect, form communities, learn, and explore. Users may be inspired to express themselves in new ways or discover information that they might have missed using traditional forms of media. 

Many people use TikTok to stay informed about current events, politics, entertainment, and a wide range of other topics. According to a 2024 poll by Pew Research Center, 40% of young adults regularly receive news from TikTok. The widespread dissemination of information through TikTok allows users to remain informed in a rapidly changing world.

TikTok is also filled with various communities, where people can share their enthusiasm for different hobbies and interests. It is easier than ever to connect with like-minded people. Regardless of a user's interests, they may find a large group of people on TikTok who share that passion. 

The mental health effects of social media

While social media can be beneficial, it is also connected to several psychological challenges, including addiction, bullying, and negative self-perception. The following are mental health concerns that can arise from TikTok trends. 

Addiction

Social media addiction is a form of behavioral addiction characterized by a compulsion to use social media platforms. There is evidence that TikTok can lead to addiction due to its algorithm, immersive interface, and ability to activate users’ reward systems. Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous is a great resource if you find yourself unable to stop scrolling or engaging with content to a point where it is detrimental to your well-being.

Mental health conditions

Bullying

Cyberbullying is a serious challenge faced by individuals who spend time online. Almost anyone can comment on TikTok videos, send direct messages, or make videos referencing other users. Due to this increased opportunity for communication, users are sometimes subjected to harassing, insulting, or violent language. 

Self-image 

Often, TikTok trends are aspirational in nature, involving lifestyles that can be difficult to achieve and sustain. For example, a popular TikTok trend is the “week in the life” video, in which users describe their schedules and routines, often marked by high levels of productivity. While this trend can be engaging, it may cause some to believe they are not doing enough in their lives. 

Other trends—particularly those geared toward fitness and beauty—may raise concerns related to body image. Users may be presented with body types that are difficult to attain, leading to negative thoughts or self-perceptions about themselves. One study found that consuming content that promotes disordered eating led to reductions in body image satisfaction.  

Misinformation

While the ability to disseminate information widely can have a positive impact, it can also cause individuals to receive an incomplete or incorrect view of certain issues. Misinformation—falsehoods that are shared unintentionally—is a common concern on social media platforms. It can be easy to mistake a content creator without expertise on a subject as an expert, due to their high follower count or authoritative tone. Additionally, many people omit the key step of verifying the veracity of claims made on TikTok, ensuring they are grounded in fact and not presenting skewed perspectives on various subjects.   

Misinformation can have a negative impact on well-being, particularly when the information being shared pertains to mental or physical health. An example of the potential harm of misleading TikTok trends occurred when several users promoted the beneficial effects of placing cloves of garlic in one’s nostrils. This claim proved to be spurious, as it could lead to irritation and damage to the nasal tissue. 

How to engage with TikTok trends in healthy ways

While the above mental health challenges can be concerning, it is possible to navigate TikTok while focusing on your emotional and cognitive well-being. The following are tips for engaging healthily with TikTok trends.  

Understand how trends on TikTok can influence self-image

As you consume trending videos, note whether your self-perception is being influenced. If you often experience thoughts of inadequacy after watching TikTok videos, consider adjusting your approach to using the app. TikTok allows you to adjust your topic preferences so that you see more or fewer videos of a certain type. For example, if you sometimes experience negative feelings about yourself after watching exercise-related TikTok videos, you can adjust your settings to encounter fewer of those videos.

You may also remind yourself that people on TikTok often post highlights from their lives. For example, someone who creates a video about a lavish New Year's party may not always live that way. Avoid comparing yourself to others on social media and instead focus on your unique accomplishments and skills.  

Take breaks from TikTok videos

Limiting your screen time can help you avoid impacting your well-being. Consider allocating a specific amount of time each day to use social media apps, so you aren’t using them excessively. You can also find apps and browser extensions that limit your ability to utilize social media.   

Recognize misinformation

Avoiding the consumption and spread of misinformation can help you enjoy TikTok trends responsibly. Ensure the information you’re learning or sharing can be traced to reliable sources. Try asking yourself some questions when exploring new topics on TikTok. What is the creator’s expertise on the subject? Are they referencing credible studies or other reputable sources? What are reliable outlets saying about this topic? Fact-checking content can help you avoid being misled. 

Avoid potentially harmful TikTok trends

TikTok trends can be dangerous in tangible ways. For example, one trend involved eating Tide Pods, which led to several poisonings. These trends can also affect people in more subtle ways. For example, trends that glamorize specific lifestyles may lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. If you notice trends that are potentially dangerous or harmful, consider using TikTok’s “Restricted Mode,” which allows you to filter out content based on specific keywords. 

Mental health care for challenges related to social media

Individuals concerned about their relationship with social media may benefit from consulting a psychotherapist. Therapy can help people learn how platforms like TikTok may contribute to symptoms of mental health challenges. A mental health professional can help a participant avoid connecting their self-worth to engagement or trends on TikTok. A therapist can also help people limit their social media use. 

Taking a break from trending TikTok videos with online therapy

If you are tech-savvy and interested in mental health care, online therapy can be a convenient way of connecting with a professional.  

Looking to develop a healthy relationship with social media?

Connect with a licensed therapist

How online therapy can contribute to a healthy relationship with social media

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can address concerns related to social media or other aspects of life remotely, through video calls, voice calls, or in-app messaging. You can also reach out to your therapist at any time, allowing you to ask questions or clarify points made during sessions. 

Research suggests that online therapy can help participants address mental health challenges related to the use of social media. For example, in one study, researchers found that online therapy led to significant reductions in symptoms of internet addiction. Most participants reported that the primary reason for problematic internet usage was social media.