TikTok is one of the most distracting apps out there.
What makes it so addictive is how easily it pulls you in and keeps you scrolling for hours without even realizing it.
The short videos, endless recommendations, and constant stream of entertainment make it nearly impossible to stop.
I’ve experienced this many times – telling myself I’ll only watch a few clips before bed, and suddenly, an hour has passed.
TikTok is built to grab our attention, and that’s exactly why I find it so distracting.
There are 170 million monthly active users in the United States, which has helped TikTok reach 1.5 billion global users, according to a June 18, 2025, PilotSocial article.
The app learns what kind of content I like and keeps feeding me more of it.
When TikTok users sign up to make an account, the app collects the user’s name, email, and phone number, according to a January 13, 2025 Federal Employees Benefits Association article.
If I watch one funny video or sports clip, TikTok instantly floods my For You page with similar ones.
Another distraction with TikTok is that if you like a video, similar videos pop up on your For You page.
TikTok was the most downloaded app worldwide in 2020, with more than 87 million installs, according to a July 2020 Article.
There’s no clear stopping point like on other platforms.
Instead, TikTok constantly refreshes, giving me something new every few seconds. It creates this loop where I keep watching “just one more” video – again and again.
The app draws me in so quickly that I lose track of time. It’s not just the time lost, but also the mental energy it drains.
After scrolling for too long, I find it harder to refocus on what I was doing before.
My attention span feels shorter and my brain starts craving quick bursts of entertainment instead of longer periods of concentration.
Another reason I find TikTok distracting is that it makes it hard to be present in the moment.
Sometimes when I’m with friends or family, I catch myself thinking about recording a video or checking what’s trending instead of actually enjoying my time with them.
The app creates this urge to always be online, to keep up with trends and to post something new.
It’s like my attention is always split between the real world and the digital one.
About 46% of TikTok users engage with content on TikTok without distractions or using multiple screens at once, according to November 7, 2025, Embryo article
TikTok also distracts me by constantly making me compare my life to others.
I’ll see people traveling, cooking, or living in ways that seem exciting or effortless, and I start feeling like I’m missing out.
The app creates this urge to always be online, to keep up with trends and to post something new.
It’s like my attention is always split between the real world and the digital one.
Overall, I think TikTok is distracting because it’s built to capture attention and never let it go.
The only other social media platform that I use to get my mind off TikTok is Snapchat because I use it to connect with my friends.
It’s fun and entertaining, but it also takes up valuable time and focus that could be spent on more meaningful things.
While I still use it, I’ve realized how easily it can take control of my attention without me noticing.
To me, TikTok isn’t just an app – it’s a constant test of self-control.
