Finally got my 10yr old off TikTok and I'm not sorry

Jan 4·1 min read

My daughter was spending like 2-3 hours a day on TikTok during summer break. The algorithm was just feeding her increasingly chaotic content and she was getting anxious about not having the "right" look or followers. We had a huge fight but I deleted it and replaced it with Discord for talking to her friends. Yeah she hates me right now but her sleep schedule is back to normal and she's actually reading again. Win.

6 comments388 views

Comments(6)

SSteve C.RegularJan 4

The 2-3 hours a day during summer is insane but I also get why kids love it. The hard part is replacing it with something else that actually holds their attention, not just removing the dopamine hit.

SShane K.RegularJan 5

How much pushback did you get? My 10yo would absolutely lose it if I yanked TikTok away but I'm starting to think that's exactly the point that I need to do it.

MMike R.New DadJan 6

This is the part nobody talks about because the backlash is real, but limiting social media at 10 is actually one of the most important parenting calls you can make. Stick with it.

MMarcusNew DadJan 6

What's she doing instead now? Because if it just became YouTube or something else I'm not sure the win is as big as it feels right now.

TTerrence M.RegularJan 7

Good on you for actually following through. Most parents say they're gonna limit screen time but then it's easier to just let it happen. The algorithm stuff with TikTok is genuinely designed to be addictive so you're not wrong to worry about it.

RRyan M.New DadJan 6

You're not sorry and you shouldn't be. That algorithm is literally designed by engineers to addict kids. You did the right call even if it was unpopular in your house.