TikTok has become one of the most popular apps in the world, with over a billion active users. Its highly addictive, short-form video format has captured the attention of millions of young people, making it a dominant force in social media. But beneath the surface of viral trends, catchy dances, and endless scrolling, there are serious problems that few people talk about.
From ruining attention spans and putting user data at risk to being a hotbed for scammers and misleading ads, TikTok has become a breeding ground for some of the worst aspects of modern social media.
This article takes a deep dive into TikTok’s biggest issues, exposing how it’s affecting users, why it’s dangerous, and why banning TikTok might actually be a good thing for everyone.
1. How TikTok Is Destroying Attention Spans
One of the biggest criticisms of TikTok is that it is rewiring people’s brains to crave instant gratification and short bursts of entertainment.
The Science Behind “TikTok Brain”
• Each video on TikTok lasts between 15 seconds to 3 minutes, but most viral content is under 30 seconds.
• The app uses an infinite scroll system, meaning you can keep watching non-stop, with the algorithm constantly serving up more content you might like.
• The dopamine effect—each short video gives your brain a small dopamine hit, reinforcing the habit of constantly scrolling for more.
• Over time, this weakens the ability to focus on longer tasks, making activities like reading a book, watching a full-length movie, or paying attention in school/work harder.
A study by Common Sense Media found that kids and teens now struggle to engage in activities that require sustained attention because they are so used to fast, short bursts of information. Teachers have even reported that students’ ability to focus has dramatically decreased in the past few years.
Who’s Affected?
• Young kids and teens—many start using TikTok at ages as young as 9 or 10.
• College students—many report struggling with focusing on lectures and assignments.
• Adults—even working professionals admit they have a harder time reading long articles, watching full TV episodes, or even sitting through a conversation without feeling the urge to check their phones.
Simply put, TikTok is rewiring brains to crave constant stimulation—and that’s a serious problem.
2. The Dangerous Data Privacy Issues No One Talks About
TikTok isn’t just another social media app—it’s owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that operates under Chinese law. That means user data on TikTok could potentially be accessed by the Chinese government.
What Data Does TikTok Collect?
TikTok gathers more personal data than most people realize, including:
• Your location (even if you disable location tracking).
• Your browsing history—it tracks which sites you visit outside of TikTok.
• Keystroke tracking—meaning it can potentially log everything you type while using the app.
• Facial recognition data—from videos you upload and filters you use.
Why This Is a Problem
Under China’s National Intelligence Law, all Chinese companies must provide data to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) if requested. This means:
• Your personal data could be accessed by the Chinese government at any time.
• There is no transparency about how your data is used or stored.
• There have already been multiple cases of TikTok employees accessing private user data without permission.
Governments around the world—including the U.S., Canada, and the European Union—have raised concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices, with some countries already banning the app from government devices.
If you use TikTok, you are handing over an enormous amount of personal data—and the truth is, no one really knows how safe it is.
3. TikTok Is a Scammer’s Paradise
One of TikTok’s biggest problems is the number of scammers and misleading ads that flood the platform.
Many users have fallen for fake promotions, overpriced junk, and straight-up scams. TikTok’s loose ad policies have made it a goldmine for dishonest sellers who use deceptive marketing tricks to trick people into buying garbage products.
Common TikTok Scam Tactics
🛑 Fake “Discount” Ads – Sellers use false pricing tricks to make you think you’re getting a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
• Example: “I’m so sorry you paid $89.99 for this, it’s only $5 now!” (Reality: It was never $89.99, and the new price is actually $12.99 plus hidden fees.)
🛑 TikTok “Mystery Box” Scams – These promise you high-value items for a low price, but in reality, they send you cheap junk worth less than you paid.
🛑 Fake Product Demonstrations – Many TikTok ads showcase products doing impossible things, like makeup that “erases wrinkles” instantly or gadgets that do things no physics textbook would allow.
🛑 Drop Shipping Overpriced Garbage – Many sellers buy products for $2 from China and resell them for $50+ with fake reviews.
The Problem? TikTok Doesn’t Care
• The ad approval process is weak, allowing blatantly false advertising.
• Even when scams are reported, it often takes months before anything is done.
• Many sellers just create new accounts and start over, making it impossible to shut them down permanently.
If you’ve ever seen a TikTok ad that seemed too good to be true, chances are, it was a scam.
4. Why Banning TikTok Would Actually Be Good
With all of these issues, banning TikTok wouldn’t just be about national security—it would actually improve people’s lives.
Pros of Banning TikTok:
✅ Stronger Attention Spans – Without TikTok, kids and teens would relearn how to focus on longer content, books, and real conversations.
✅ Better Online Safety – A ban would reduce data privacy concerns and stop handing personal info to a foreign government.
✅ Fewer Scams & Misleading Ads – Without TikTok, users wouldn’t be bombarded with fake “discount” ads, mystery box scams, and junk products.
✅ Less Algorithm Manipulation – Social media companies have too much control over what people see and believe. TikTok’s algorithm is one of the most secretive and manipulative, making users more addicted and less informed.
✅ More Creativity, Less Copying – Before TikTok, people created original content instead of just copying viral trends. A ban could lead to better, more creative online spaces.
✅ Encourages People to Use Other Platforms – Instead of putting all their content on TikTok, creators would move to platforms that don’t have the same shady data practices.
Final Thoughts: Is TikTok Worth the Risk?
While TikTok is fun and entertaining, the truth is it comes with major risks. From ruining attention spans to stealing data, enabling scammers, and pushing junk products, the negatives far outweigh the positives.
Maybe it’s time we step back from algorithm-controlled content and start creating a healthier, safer internet for everyone.
🚀 What do you think? Should TikTok be banned? Let’s discuss.