Description
Since TikTok's release in 2017, it has become one of the more popular social media apps in the country. TikTok app design exploits sensory preferences through continuous scrolling, providing a seamless infinite amount of content. We hypothesized that TikTok immerses users in an unproductive version of the flow state, that may lead to addiction-like behaviors among users. We also hypothesized that TikTok’s design may be associated with boredom proneness, anxiety, self-esteem, and GPA. Using a correlational measure, USD students were asked to answer self-report measures and questions about their social media use to differentiate between platforms. Using Instagram as comparison to TikTok, our results demonstrated that TikTok was associated with a greater flow state, greater addictive behaviors, greater anxiety, and more boredom proneness when compared to Instagram.
TikTok Use, Flow, and Addictive Behaviors
Since TikTok's release in 2017, it has become one of the more popular social media apps in the country. TikTok app design exploits sensory preferences through continuous scrolling, providing a seamless infinite amount of content. We hypothesized that TikTok immerses users in an unproductive version of the flow state, that may lead to addiction-like behaviors among users. We also hypothesized that TikTok’s design may be associated with boredom proneness, anxiety, self-esteem, and GPA. Using a correlational measure, USD students were asked to answer self-report measures and questions about their social media use to differentiate between platforms. Using Instagram as comparison to TikTok, our results demonstrated that TikTok was associated with a greater flow state, greater addictive behaviors, greater anxiety, and more boredom proneness when compared to Instagram.
Comments
Faculty Mentor: Anne Koenig