THE TIKTOK TAKEOVER: A GROUNDED THEORY OF STUDENTS’

LACK OF FOCUS AND SHORT-FORM VIDEO ADDICTION

Alcarez, Moira Summer R.; Años, Christopher Brian; Fantonial, Cyril; Hilig, Andrhea;
Masada, Brent James; Rodrigo, Shekara Andrea C.; Vasquez, Cyril

Abstract
Students all over the Philippines have grown addicted to the TikTok application, the
leading short-form video platform in the world. More than 1 billion people around the world
now come to TikTok every month (TikTok Team, 2021). The researchers ask the question,
“Does this have a connection with students’ prevalent lack of motivation and focus?” Upon
selecting informants with the snowball sampling method and interviewing them with two
questions regarding their own experiences, the researchers gathered various responses that
had led to a theory. The theory of dopamine manipulation was created with constant
references to drug abuse data and statistics. TikTok’s mechanism was compared to a drug’s
mechanism and how it becomes addicting and demotivating. With the raw data from the
patterns found in the experiences of the students, the theory was backed up. After
deliberation, the researchers concluded that this phenomenon could be used as an academic
weapon.

I. Introduction
As the clock ticks, every student clicks TikTok. TikTok is the leading short-form
video platform which allows users to scroll through 15 to 60 second videos. Opening your
phone without your fingers being drawn toward the TikTok app is a dream that doesn’t exist
in our world today. Students from all over the Philippines cannot go a day without TikTok.
According to Kemp (2023), “Data published in ByteDance’s own ad planning tools show that
TikTok’s potential ad reach in the Philippines increased by 7.5 million (+20.8 percent)
between the start of 2022 and early 2023.”. They can go for hours on end, which somehow
affects their academic abilities. Teachers start to scratch their heads in frustration. They pull
out every trick in the book, yet no one can seem to keep their attention. As technology births
more entertainment that conforms to every new generation, it continues to poison their minds.
Furthermore, this poison spreads to their curricular participation, cooperation, compromise,
and cohesion with their educators and classmates. If this lack of screen awareness carries on,
it will be hard for any student to achieve their goals. What will become of our hope for the
youth to be the savior of our impending catastrophes?
These short-form videos are suddenly all over the web, plastered on every social
media platform. There is no escape. With students’ addiction to TikTok, this research
theorizes how it feeds into their procrastination and loss of focus. Students often drift off and
try to find a new activity, causing a disruption in their lessons. How do these short-form
videos correlate with students’ hyperactivity in the classroom? Even in the comfortable
confines of their home, they are too caught up on the recent social trends to bother mobilizing
their chores and homework. They will start sinking in their beds like quicksand once they
can't stop scrolling. The researchers aim to resolve this by analyzing students' experiences
with their hours on short videos and how it relates to their failure in managing their focus.
This will reach the academic community and superiors so they can conduct more studies and
formulate new rules and regulations for the well-being and engagement of the students. Once
everyone recognizes the need to pursue the path after this investigation for the betterment of
our youth, it might be the answer to the faults in every system.

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II. Methodology
Design
Grounded theory is used in this study. Grounded theory enables you to study a particular
phenomenon or process and discover new theories that are based on the collection and
analysis of real-world data (Delve & Limpaecher, 2021). TikTok's rapid trend over the past
three years encourages brains to create new ideas on the phenomenon of every social
platform's envy and how it's related to every student's experiences in the classroom and short
spans.

Environment
The environment for this study is Ocaña National High School. Ocaña National High School
is a school in the city of Carcar that educates levels seven to twelve. It is known for its
prestigious academic standards despite its neighbors’ prejudicial views on public schools. It
has gained its reputation with its renowned student leaders and master teachers.

Informants
The informants of this study are the students enrolled in Ocaña National High School. The
researchers will select 20 students. In selecting these students the researcher will set the
inclusion and exclusion criteria: Inclusion Criteria: (1) Informants must be at least 15 yrs old
and at most 18 years old. (2) They must have at least one application with a short-form video
algorithm. (3) Applications must be downloaded from 2021. (4) They must be enrolled for
the academic year 2022-2023. Exclusion Criteria: (1) Informants under 15 and above 18. (2)
Social Media Applications have no short-form video algorithm. (3) Applications are
downloaded later than 2021. (4) They aren't enrolled for the Academic year 2022-2023.
In the event that data saturation occurs, the researchers may choose not to pursue the rest of
the ten informants. Bunce and Johnson (2006) further explain that saturation of data can be
achieved by six interviews, depending on the sample size of the population.
The sampling technique utilized in this study is Snowball sampling. Snowball sampling is a
well-known, non-probability method of survey sample selection that is commonly used to
locate hidden populations. This method relies on referrals from initially sampled respondents
to other persons believed to have the characteristic of interest (Johnson, 2014). This is the
best sampling technique fit for this research study because of the implicit characteristics
listed in the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Instrument
The main instrument of the research study is the researchers, along with the interview guide.

Data Gathering Procedures

The researchers plan a systematic process, primarily, with permission from the principal of
Ocaña National highschool. This research study will undergo a research proposal wherein
certain panel members will critique the said research comments and suggestions will be
received by the researchers as the basis for the revision of their study. Once done revising the
research study, it will be submitted to the class teacher and then will undergo data gathering.
To collect the data, the researchers prepared an interview guide which will eventually be the
guide in managing the data. But before data gathering happens, the researchers create an
informed consent form to be given to the informants of this study for them to be able to know
and be informed about the goal of the research study. From the start, grounded theory was
employed. Voice recorders in cell phones will be used to be able to transcribe and properly
collect the data as they conduct the interview.

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Analysis
This study will utilize a thematic approach. Thematic analysis is a method for identifying,
analyzing, and reporting patterns within the data. Your data set in rich detail will be
minimally organized. The range of different possible thematic analyses will further be
highlighted concerning several decisions regarding it as a method.
Face-to-face interviews are conducted using a prepared interview guide. The informants have
the right to have to talk freely and to tell stories using their own words. Each interview lasted
from 25 - 30 minutes and all of them are being conducted by all the researchers. At the end of
each interview, the researchers will remind the informants about the need for a second
contact with them via Gmail to discuss the study findings and to make sure that the study
reflects their own experiences. Saturation is based on consensus between all researchers. Ten
informants will be engaging in the study. In the end, the transcripts of each recording are
double-checked by the researchers.

Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations in research are a set of principles that guide your research design and
practice. Researchers must always adhere to a certain code of conduct when collecting data
from people (Bhandari, P., 2022). Ethical issues are important in all types of research. The
researchers should take into consideration both general and specific research principles.
Ethical principles are primarily centered on protecting research participants and the guiding
foundation of harmless procedures. The following is a list of core ethical principles that are
important to qualitative research.

Beneficence.
Beneficence imposes a duty on researchers to minimize harm and maximize benefits. The
researchers will make sure that the informants of this study will have a higher benefit
compared to the risk that might be encountered during and after the data gathering.
Researchers will make sure the risk-benefit ratio in conducting this study towards the
informants.

Respect.
The researchers give respect to each informant in this research study. They will be
given an assurance that proper confidentiality procedures will prevent them to be directly
linked to their responses during the interview. Informants’ participation is entirely voluntary
and they can easily withdraw if they wish to stop participating in the said interview.

Justice.
The informants are fairly selected in this research study. The researchers will set the inclusion
and exclusion criteria in selecting the desired informants. The researchers will protect and
respect the values and interests of the community as a whole and protect the community from
harm.

Content, Comprehension, and Documentation of Informed Consent

Participants Status.
The informants of this study are the students enrolled in Ocaña National High School.
Informants must be at least 15 yrs old and at most 18 years old, must have at least one app
with a short-form video algorithm, the app must be downloaded since 2021, and they must be
enrolled for the academic year 2022-2023. Informants will be informed that the data they
provide will be used for research purposes only.
Study Goals.

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 The overall goal of this research study is to analyze the stories of students who experience
struggle with their attention spans while indulging in short-form videos.
Type of Data.
Prospective participants should be told what type of data will be collected. Specify whether it
is quantitative or qualitative.
Procedures.
Prospective participants should be given a description of the data collection procedures and
procedures to be used in any innovative treatment.
Nature of Commitment.
Participants will be contacted ahead of the time and date of their interview session. They will
meet with one researcher once for 25-30 minutes.
Participant’s Selection.
Few participants acquainted with the researchers will be selected for interviews. Afterward,
snowball sampling will be implemented. Their assigned researcher will inquire to the
informant about possible participants that may fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria and
might permit us to interview them as well.
Risk.
Risks might include physical discomfort, fatigue, or boredom; Psychological or emotional
distress resulting from self-disclosure, introspection, discomfort with strangers, fear of
eventual repercussions, anger or embarrassment at the type of questions being asked; Social
risks, such as the risk of stigma, loss of status; Loss of privacy; Loss of time
Potential Risk.
Prospective participants should be informed of any foreseeable risks (physical, psychological,
social, or economic) or discomforts and efforts that will be taken to minimize risks. The
possibility of unforeseeable risks should also be discussed, if appropriate. If injury or damage
is possible, treatments that will be made available to participants should be described. When
risks are more than minimal prospective participants should be encouraged to seek advice
before consenting.
Benefits.
Access to a potentially beneficial intervention that might otherwise be unavailable to them.
Comfort in being able to discuss their situation or problem with a friendly, objective person;
Increased knowledge about themselves or their conditions, either through the opportunity for
introspection and self-reflection or through direct interaction with researchers; Satisfaction
that information they provide may help others with similar problems or conditions
Potential Benefits.
Other possible benefits.
Alternatives.
If appropriate, participants should be told about alternative procedures or treatments that
might be advantageous to them. (e.g. different place, different time)
Incentives and Compensation.
There will be no monetary compensation. After the interview, the researchers will provide a
gratitude pledge to the participants.
Confidentiality Pledge.
Prospective participants will be assured that their privacy will at all times be protected. If
anonymity is desired, this should be assured by the researcher.

Confidentiality Procedures.
● Study participants have the right to expect that the data they provide will be kept in strict
confidence. Participants ‘right to privacy is protected through various confidentiality

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 procedures. Anonymity, the most secure means of protecting confidentiality, occurs when the
researchers cannot link participants to their data.
● When anonymity is impossible, confidentiality procedures need to be implemented. A
promise of confidentiality is a pledge that any information participants provide will not be
publicly reported in a manner that identifies them and will not be accessible to others. This
means that research information should not be shared with strangers nor with people known
to participants (e.g., relatives, others) unless participants give explicit permission to do so.
Researchers can take many steps to ensure that a breach of confidentiality does not occur,
including the following:
• Obtain identifying information (e.g., name, address) from participants.
• Make research personnel sign confidentiality pledges if they have access to data or
identifying information.
• Report research information in the aggregate; if information for an individual is reported,
disguise the person’s identity, such as through the use of a fictitious name.

Authorization to Access Private Information.

• Obtained as part of the consent form.
•Include who will receive the information.
Voluntary Consent.
Researchers should indicate that participation is strictly voluntary and that failure to volunteer
will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits.
Right to Withdraw and withhold Information.
Prospective participants should be told that, after consenting, they have the right to withdraw
from the study or to withhold any specific piece of information. Researchers may need to
describe the circumstances under which researchers would terminate the study.
Contact Information.
The researchers should tell participants whom they could contact in the event of further
questions, comments, or complaints. The Ocaña National High School panel (Sir Arnel
Dayame and Sir Emmanuel Nadela) has approved the study and may be reached through the
email arnel.dayame@deped.gov.ph. The main researcher may be reached through the
following contact information to discuss concerns about discrepancies made in the
interviews.
Ocaña National High School
HUMSS Building
Purok 3, Ocaña, Carcar City, City
Email at: summermoira@gmail.com

Interview Guide
1. As a TikTok user what are your experiences with your immersion with these short-
form videos?
2. How have these experiences affected your tasks in your home and comprehension
inside the classroom?

Table 1. Summary of Patterns

Patterns Sub-Patterns Description Example

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1 — “Like those men
∙ Adult Materials ∙ TikTok exposes that, I don’t
minors or know, those men
unconsenting students expose their
to borderline lascivious private parts.”
media.

2 — “It calms me
∙ Contemporary ∙ TikTok can become an
down and
Release of outlet for teenagers’ eradicates my
Unwanted Feelings overwhelming emotions anxiety.”
and harmful thoughts.

3
“ I can discover
∙ Educational ∙ Long-term ∙ The knowledge they many things
Attainment Wisdom acquire while scrolling which help me in
through TikTok will be my personal
deemed useful during development”
their lifetime.

“There are
∙ For Formal ∙ The knowledge they videos related to
Curriculum acquire will assist our class”
them in their studies.

4
“Sometimes
∙ Joy Found in Self ∙ Amusement ∙ The short-form videos there are
and Others they view are inspirational
entertaining. quotes, and
videos that make
me laugh”

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 “TikTok really
∙ Self-Development ∙ The short-form helps me
videos they view embrace my
enhance their physical, talent and boost
moral, emotional, and my confidence.”
mental principles.

5 — “I usually forget
∙ Disrupted ∙ Managing time is to accomplish
Schedules & increasingly challenging. my schoolworks
Neglected due to excessive
Education Not only will these scrolling on
students receive lower Tiktok”
grades for their
missing tasks, they will
also experience
academic burnout.

6 — “Everytime i’m
∙ Curated ∙ Scrolling through their going through an
Algorithm For You Page (FYP), emotional
they will find videos that phase,the Tiktok
will hook videos usually
them longer into the align and match
application because with my
these videos are emotions and
targeting their interests problems.
and specific states. So,every time I
have a
breakdown,I
scroll on Tiktok
to distract
myself.”

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7
∙ Physical “Because i’m
∙ Withering in ∙ As the students always on my
Deterioration
Addiction continue to be phone and
inseparable with their scrolling on
TikTok, they become Tiktok, i don't
physically out of have time to
shape. exercise my
body”

∙ Waning Mental “And, on the

∙ While TikTok other hand, if
State
sometimes eases their that’s all I watch,
worries, their attachment I can’t do
to this app will only anything at
propagate stress from home.”
unfinished tasks that are
piling up.

8 — “I already know,
∙ Good Management ∙ Some students are as a student and a
well aware of their child, I won’t
own capabilities and carelessly use my
limits, hence not time. I know
struggling with TikTok when I should or
and their self-control. should not use it
[TikTok], so if
I’m in my house,
I’m going to
limit myself. I
only use TikTok
after I
accomplish my
tasks so I can be
free, no more
chores and
anything. And,
when I’m inside
the classroom,
cell phones
aren’t allowed
because there are
teachers. I know
my limit…”

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III. Results and Discussions

After the researchers conducted a series of interviews, the researchers transcribed the
responses and generated codes from the informants’ experiences. Succeeding the researchers’
deliberation and careful examination, there were 11 patterns found in each informants'
experiences.

Pattern 1: Adult Materials

TikTok exposes minors or unconsenting students to borderline lascivious media.
Informant Lychee stated:

"Kato ganing mga lalaki na ambot lang kana ganing mga lalaki na kana ganing
magpakuan sila sa ilang private part."

“Like those men that, I don’t know, those men that expose their private parts.”

According to Informant Lychee, the informant often passes by men who commit
indecent activity in the informant’s TikTok's algorithm, or For You Page (FYP). Lychee is a
minor, which makes the informant uncomfortable and categorizes it as a "negative"
experience. The informant expresses an aversion to this classification of content along with
informants Apple, Orange, and Banana. Though, as some may come to enjoy such portrayal
in the online media, minors are still at risk of dipping their toes in unfamiliar waters, and may
end up in utter danger or harm.

Pattern 2: Contemporary Release of Unwanted Feelings

TikTok can become an outlet for teenagers’ overwhelming emotions and harmful thoughts.
Informant Plum stated:

"Kanang maoy kanang kuan namo ba, pang pawa sa akoang, pampakalma sa akong mga
anxiety ba"

“It calms me down and eradicates my anxiety.”

According to Informant Plum, TikTok acts as a distraction that relaxes anxious feelings.
Students often come across pressure and stress from an academic perspective, especially
when the student is an academic achiever. Furthermore, the short-form video application
allows them to escape from the realities of a world where they are seldom met with their
standards of emotional and mental health.

Pattern 3: Educational Attainment

TikTok contributes to the wide array of knowledge students receive from their everyday
journey. Upon further assessment of this pattern, sub-patterns were extracted from the
informants’ experiences, namely Mango and Grape:

Long-term Wisdom
The knowledge they acquire while scrolling through TikTok will be deemed useful
during their lifetime. Informant Mango stated:

"Daghan kog ma discover nga things nga maka develop siya nako."

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 “I can discover many things which help me in my personal development”

According to Informant Mango, the application’s content helps them enhance themselves or
their thinking. With the diversity of TikTok videos, students can amplify, hone, or even find
their assets from an intellectual point of view. This could help their future career advancing
or upskilling in general.

For Formal Curriculum

The knowledge they acquire will assist them in their studies. Informant Grape
stated:

"... even sa videos relate pd sa class."

“There are videos related to our class.”

According to Informant Lychee, the videos the informant watched while scrolling through the
application are helpful in their lessons. There are aspects in a inlecture students might not
understand. But, prior knowledge can assist them in comprehending the lessons in the
compulsory curriculum.

Pattern 4: Joy Found in Self and Others

TikTok is a short-form video application, which produced phenomenal trends with its
engrossing content creators and moderators. TikTok helps students find joy in their lowest
states. Upon further assessment of this pattern, sub patterns were extracted from the
informants’ experiences, namely Watermelon and Blueberry:

Amusement
The short-form videos they view are entertaining. Informant Watermelon stated:

"Inspirational quotes or kanang mga kataw anan baron like depende ra gyud siya."

“Sometimes there are inspirational quotes, and videos that make me laugh”

According to Informant Watermelon, the videos’ types of entertainment vary. Regardless,

these videos serve as the informant’s enjoyment. Humans have an innate need to have fun.
With TikTok, it is instant fun for everyone.

Self-Development
The short-form videos they view enhance their physical, moral, emotional, and
mental principles. Informant Blueberry stated:

"TikTok really helps me embrace my talent and boost my confidence."

According to Informant Blueberry, they encounter content that uplifts them. It allows them to
discover different aspects of their being. TikTok is a space where they can be comfortable
expressing their talents.

Pattern 5: Disrupted Schedules & Neglected Education

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With the continuous use of TikTok, managing time becomes increasingly challenging for the
informants. Not only will these students receive lower grades for their missing tasks, they
will also experience academic burnout. Informant Lanzones stated:

"Makalimot nako sakong mga assignment kay sige nakog tan awg TikTok"

“I usually forget to accomplish my schoolworks due to excessive scrolling on Tiktok”

According to Informant Lanzones, TikTok is a hindrance on their planned out routines and
schedules. Even with a fixed time for compulsory education, it becomes increasingly difficult
for the informant to manage time and accomplish homework when the informant is
immersed in scrolling through the short-form videos.

Pattern 6: Curated Algorithm

Scrolling through their TikTok algorithm, or For You Page (FYP), the informants will find
videos that will hook them longer into the application because these videos are targeting their
interests and specific states. Informant Apricot stated:

“Kanang everytime naa kay bation like unsay kanang emotion nimo mosabay man ang
TikTok gud usahay like everytime naa koy problem, breakdown, so to distract myself I use
TikTok like mag scroll ko.”

“Everytime I’m going through an emotional phase, the Tiktok videos usually align and match
with my emotions and problems. So, everytime I have a breakdown, I scroll on Tiktok to
distract myself.”

According to Informant Apricot, the videos on the TikTok algorithm will align with what the
informant is feeling at the moments when they are scrolling. The algorithm or For You Page
(FYP) was perfectly engineered. Eerily, TikTok always seems to know what the user wishes
to see on their screens. This is one of the main factors why TikTok is one of the leading—if
not the number one—social media platforms.

Pattern 7: Withering in Addiction

With TikTok’s algorithm, students become overly obsessed with scrolling through the
application’s videos, and it is frightfully affecting their daily lives. Upon further assessment
of this pattern, sub patterns were extracted from the informants’ experiences, namely Lemon
and Grape:

Physical Deterioration
As the students continue to be inseparable with their TikTok, they become physically out of
shape. Informant Lemon stated:

“Maka saban ko ni mommy kay, ay ni mama kay dili nako mo hugas ug plato (laugh), kay
sige rag kanang cellphone, TikTok and kana ganing wala nakay exercise sa imong lawas?
Kay na sige rakag gunit sa cellphone always mao rato siya.”

“My mommy reprimands me because I don’t wash the dishes anymore (laugh), because I’m
always on my phone and scrolling on Tiktok, and I don't have time to exercise my body.”

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According to Informant Lemon, when TikTok takes up the informant’s time, it affects the
informant’s ability to be active and exercise by moving around. Lack of mobility, even just
walking to the kitchen, may cause atrophy or regression in students' functionality. This will
lead to health problems.

Waning Mental State

While TikTok sometimes eases their worries, their attachment to this app will only
propagate stress from unfinished tasks that are piling up. Informant Grape stated:

"Dayun usa sad ka side, mao na lang nang tawawon [TikTok] nga dli naka maka buhat sa
balay."

“And, on the other hand, if that’s all I watch [TikTok], I can’t do anything at home.”

According to Informant Grape, once they religiously scroll through TikTok, they cannot let
go and therefore can’t contribute to the house chores. Without letting the mind wander and
think while the students do their jobs in the household, their minds won’t get a break. In
addition, with the people criticizing them for not abiding to their assigned cleaning areas and
with the tasks that are overwhelming them, they will start coping with unhealthy defense
mechanisms. Dissociation or acting out can be the two common defense mechanisms that
could affect their relationships, hence affecting their mental health altogether.

Pattern 8: Good Management

Some students are well aware of their own capabilities and limits, hence not struggling with
TikTok and their self-control. Informant Strawberry stated:

“Kabalo nako as pagka student ug pagka bata, dili ko, dili ko magpataka ug kuan no, like
ilugar jud nako ug asa ko mag gamit ana nya kanusa ko mo gamit ana [TikTok], so ug naa
ko sa balay ako jud na siya, mag limit ragyud ko, nga mag, kana nga kuan kay inig ka human
sa mga buhaton kay ara nako mag tiktok kay para free nako, wala najuy sugo nga e, e hatag
kanimo or wala nakay buhatonon lain nya, ug nana ka sa inside sa classroom kay, dili man
gyud, di man gyud allowed mag cellphone no, while naa sa classroom kay lagi naay teacher
then, kuan pud , kanang kabalo pud ko sa ako ang limit then…”

“I already know, as a student and since I was a child, I won’t carelessly use my time. I know
when I should or should not use it [TikTok], so if I’m in my house, I’m going to limit myself.
I only use TikTok after I accomplish my tasks so I can be free, no more chores and anything.
And, when I’m inside the classroom, cell phones aren’t allowed because there are teachers. I
know my limit…”

According to Informant Strawberry, the informant is in touch with the informant's

weaknesses and strengths when it comes to TikTok. Strawberry achieves a well organized
routine that conforms to their assigned tasks and chores. Approximately 25% of the
informants are able to achieve this balance.

The Grounded Theory: Dopamine Manipulation

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In light of the patterns assessed from these responses, the researchers have formulated a
theory on the relationship between students’ addiction to these short-form videos and their
lack of focus and motivation in their studies. The new theory is that these short videos have
calculated algorithms for each user which increase dopamine like a drug does. Cristol (2021)
wrote that dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter that the body makes and the nervous
system uses to send messages between nerve cells. Dopamine plays a role in how we feel
pleasure. It's a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus,
and find things interesting. But too much or too little of it can cause multiple complications.
Furthermore, Cristol (2021) expanded on the way dopamine is a factor in addiction; “Drugs
such as cocaine can cause a big, fast increase of dopamine in your brain. That satisfies your
natural reward system in a big way. But repeated drug use also raises the threshold for this
kind of pleasure. This means you need to take more to get the same high. Meanwhile, drugs
make your body less able to produce dopamine naturally. This leads to emotional lows when
you’re sober.” Though the use of TikTok is in no way at a comparable level to the destructive
effects of drug abuse, the causalities of the two are admittedly similar. TikTok is well-known
for its incredibly intricate and accurate algorithm.

Figure 1. A chart illustrating the goals of TikTok’s algorithm was part of the report.
(Note: This image was reproduced by The New York Times from original documents.) (New
York Times, 2021)

Smith (2021) cited the document dedicated to TikTok’s algorithm, headed “TikTok Algo
101,” which was produced by TikTok’s engineering team in Beijing. The document explains
frankly that in the pursuit of the company’s “ultimate goal” of adding daily active users
(DAU), it has chosen to optimize for two closely related metrics in the stream of videos it
serves: “retention” — that is, whether a user comes back — and “time spent.” The app wants
to keep you there as long as possible. This is how so much of the dopamine chemical is
induced in the brains of every TikTok user. With every new video, the more their dopamine
is increased. You just can never get enough. And the young generation loves the thrill of
never knowing what video you’re going to get next. It’s diverse in emotions and content, like
a roller coaster. Which is why people like going on roller coasters or amusement parks
because they love the thrill. You are getting an adrenaline rush. Hired Power (2016) on the
Anatomy of Adrenaline Rush says, “The hypothalamus in the brain signals to the adrenal
glands to produce adrenaline and other stress hormones. Adrenal glands produce adrenaline
by transforming the amino acid tyrosine into dopamine.” It all links to your dopamine. With
this algorithm, you have to watch more in order to get the same amount of dopamine, which
is exactly how the mechanisms of the addictive components of drugs work. Once these
students hop off the app, their dopamine emits a sudden decrease. Without these activities
giving them the natural strive and focus chemical, their motivation declines and pushes them
to go back to the application.

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With the news of a great algorithm and with TikTok skyrocketing despite being new to the
game, other social media platforms decided to hop on the bandwagon and implement this
short-form video algorithm to their applications. While—according to a report by Nelson
(2023)—TikTok is the most downloaded app in the world, other short-form video platforms
aren't far behind, like Instagram and Facebook’s Reels, Snapchat’s Spotlight, and YouTube’s
Shorts. With more applications following this addictive algorithm, pioneered by Vine in
2013, more and more students are affected by these constant addictive states.
Some students have a strong enough will to beat the odds and limit themselves for discipline.
They could become the boundaries to this theory. But somehow, even this can be linked to
addiction. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (2018), some people become
addicted to drugs while others don't; “No one factor can predict if a person will become
addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk
factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For
example:
➔ Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a
person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental
disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.
➔ Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences,
from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors
such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs,
stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug
use and addiction.
➔ Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical
developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although
taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins,
the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic
for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making,
judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone
to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.”
So with the mechanisms of the drugs and the algorithm being alike, these addictive
factors could simply not apply to the ones that can control their time in TikTok, just like drug
users who haven’t become addicted.
The TikTok application is a contradiction. While it entices fun and fulfills support
within the younger generation, it also destroys attention spans and—at times—encourages
insecurity, setting impossible standards within a community.

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 Figure 2. a framework on the researcher’s connection and thought process with
constructing the Theory of Dopamine Manipulation.

To end this theory with one question, what should everyone do about TikTok? With
drug addicts, there are various rehabilitation programs. This is where drugs and TikTok differ
—intensity. Since TikTok is not as life threatening as drugs, though it does instill unhealthy
mental habits, only regulation should be considered. And in regards to the academic
authorities, weaponizing this app instead of seeing it as the enemy is recommended. Since
students are incredibly immersed in this application, using it to the educational curriculum’s
advantage will be beneficial to both the learners and teachers. From mimicking TikTok
culture to imitating the short time-frame of videos in the lectures, those addictive algorithms
can be put to good use creatively.

IV. Conclusion
Addiction to short-form videos is one of the main factors of students’ lack of
motivation. Ultimately, there were varying results in the study, with the answers to question
one being mostly positive and the answers to question two reflecting the negative effects of
the positive components. This led to the researchers’ theory, which revolves around the
chemical changing of the brain—specifically the attention span—to conform to the TikTok
craze, creating addictive routines very similar to the workings of drugs. Albeit, it is possible
to turn this application from the academe’s greatest weakness to its revolutionary strength.

V. Recommendations
In retrospect, there were aspects of this study that could have been ameliorated or
made more powerful. Based on this, future studies centering on this topic should
consider the following recommendations:
1. Allot more time for follow-up questions for your informants.

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 2. Include participants who downloaded their TikTok application earlier than
2021 for contrast, impacting the credibility of the theory.
3. Explore more intensively existing statistics on the application that is related to
your study.

VI. References
Team, T. (2021, September 27). Thanks a billion!. Newsroom.
https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/1-billion-people-on-tiktok

Kemp, S. (2023, February 8). Digital 2023: The Philippines - datareportal – global digital
insights. DataReportal. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-philippines

Delve, Ho, L., & Limpaecher, A. (2021, September 17). The Practical Guide to Grounded
Theory. Practical Guide to Grounded Theory Research.
https://delvetool.com/groundedtheory

Bhandari, P. (2022, December 2). Ethical considerations in research: Types & examples.
Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/research-ethics/

Cristol, H. (2021, June 14). Dopamine: What it is & what it does. WebMD.
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-dopamine

Smith, B. (2021, December 6). How tiktok reads your mind. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/business/media/tiktok-algorithm.html

Kemp, S. (2023, February 8). Digital 2023: The Philippines - datareportal – global digital
insights. DataReportal. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-philippines

NIDA. 2018, June 6. Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts. Retrieved from
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction on 2023,
June 19

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