Interview on the media impact of TikTok in Dein SPIEGEL [06.09.24]
In an interview with Dein SPIEGEL, Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte talks about the effects of TikTok use and suggests ways for children to deal with it
Immersing yourself in a world where you are understood, where the hours fly by - too good to be true? Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte spoke to Dein SPIEGEL – a German news magazine for children - and explained why time spent on TikTok can feel so good, but at the same time harbors dangers.
The algorithm is both the strength and the problem of TikTok. It allows you to swipe from video to video for hours on end and all of them supposedly match your preferences perfectly. According to Sabine Trepte, the effort required to obtain new information is very low compared to conventional learning, which makes the latter less appealing. However, the quality of the information is not always easy to assess. It is just as difficult to judge what is real and what is supposed beauty - everything is prepared for the camera, just like in the cinema. Using TikTok for hours on end can even exacerbate problems, explains Sabine Trepte.
Sabine Trepte's advice is to trick the algorithm instead of swiping endlessly by deliberately searching for topics that interest you. It is also an advantage to use TikTok consciously by constantly checking your screen time. Parents can support their children in this by limiting their screen time. Parents can also learn from their children by asking them to explain what they are doing on TikTok.
The interview is available here
