TikTok algorithm is creeping me out

Nov 271 min read

So my 14yo daughter has TikTok (yeah I know, we tried to say no but...). Last week I borrowed her phone and scrolled through her FYP. The algorithm is WILD - it's showing her increasingly thinner girls doing dances, some weird body checking content, and I can see it's literally designed to keep her watching. She's not overweight at all but I'm worried about her self image. We're talking about it but I wanted to ask - does anyone have this monitored? Are you letting them use TikTok? Honestly don't know what the right move is here.

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Comments(6)

HHector R.Regular13h ago

This is why I finally made my 14yo switch to BeReal instead. Still has some issues but at least there's no algorithm optimizing for engagement. TikTok's FYP is honestly predatory toward teen girls specifically - the data backs it up.

TTony L.Regular16h ago

Have you tried just... talking to her about it? Like not in a preachy way but actual conversation about how algorithms work and what they're trying to do? My daughter actually got less interested in that content once she understood she was being manipulated lol

CCarl D.Regularjust now

easier said than done when all her friends are on it and she's the only one without access. then she feels isolated. it's kind of a catch-22 with teen social media now

PPatrick W.Regular13h ago

the thinner girls dancing thing hits different when it's your own kid watching. I spiraled for like a week after I saw my daughter's FYP too. Limited her to 30 mins a day now and she hates me but honestly whatever

AAl G.Regular3h ago

I hate to be that guy but honestly just delete it? I know "yeah I know, we tried to say no" but like... you're the parent. The algorithm is literally engineered by teams of PhDs to be addictive. Your daughter can survive without TikTok.

PPaul T.Regular9h ago

Yeah the algorithm thing is genuinely unsettling. My 13yo started getting recommended increasingly intense fitness content and I'm like... this is designed to hook her exactly like a slot machine. The body checking stuff especially - that's straight up targeting insecurity.