Finally got my oldest off TikTok and I'm genuinely proud

Nov 271 min read

Okay so my 14yo daughter was absolutely glued to TikTok - like 4-5 hours a day easy. Her grades were tanking, she wasn't sleeping, and honestly her anxiety went through the roof (I think the algorithm was feeding her weird stuff). We went nuclear about 3 weeks ago - uninstalled the app, took her phone at 9pm, made her do actual hobbies.

It was BRUTAL at first. She cried, said we were ruining her life, called us the worst parents ever (cool cool). But now? She's joined her school's debate team, her sleep is normal again, and when I check the screen time logs it's actually reasonable. She still uses other apps but TikTok is gone for good.

I'm not saying this to brag but if anyone else is on the fence about nuking an app, it might be worth it.

13 comments488 views

Comments(13)

CChris R.Regular6h ago

Did you give her any alternative or just cold turkey? My 13yo would absolutely mutiny if I just deleted the app.

RRob P.Regularjust now

The algorithm feeding anxiety is the part nobody talks about but it's real. TikTok's FYP is literally designed to keep you scrolling and if you're anxiety-prone it becomes a doom spiral. Good call pulling the plug.

JJoe C.Regularjust now

How's she doing 3 weeks in? Is she adjusted or still bitter about losing it?

NNate H.Regularjust now

This is the post that made me realize I need to have "the talk" with my 13yo about TikTok. Did her anxiety actually improve noticeably or is it still bad?

HHank L.Regularjust now

The grades tanking + anxiety going through the roof + algorithm feeding weird stuff is literally the trifecta that says "this app is damaging your kid." You did the right thing even though the 3 weeks were probably brutal.

JJoe C.Regularjust now

Curious - did she try to work around your block or did she eventually accept it? My daughter would be looking for workarounds after day 2.

BByron S.Regular14m ago

"Went nuclear" is the right move for 4-5 hours a day. That's not casual usage, that's algorithmic addiction. Your 14yo's anxiety spiking is the algorithm working as designed. How's she handling the withdrawal?

CCarl S.Regular4h ago

Taking her phone too was smart even though it sucks. If she still had access from a computer she'd just move the addiction there. Clean break works better for this age group.

MMatt S.Regularjust now

The grades coming back up confirms you made the right call. That's actual evidence it was affecting her performance.

MMarcus L.Regular7h ago

3 weeks is actually really fast for that to stick. Most teens need longer to rewire. How's her anxiety? That usually takes longer than grades to improve.

HHenry M.Regularjust now

This is legit impressive. 4-5 hours a day is HEAVY and I know how much nuclear it takes to actually get a 14yo off that. What did you have to threaten with to make it stick?

WWalter T.Regular12h ago

We took her phone completely, not just the app. She can text and call from a basic phone but no data access. Yeah it sucked but the grades improve and sleep improves so she gets it back eventually as a privilege.

LLuke N.Regularjust now

Honestly better than expected. She was FURIOUS for about two weeks but her sleep is actually normal now and her grades came back up. Still talks about missing it but doesn't seem to have that manic energy she used to have.