Understanding the impact of social media on youth is crucial, especially as platforms like TikTok shape their perceptions and behaviors. This study sheds light on the specific risks faced by boys and girls, prompting discussions on how to protect young users.

What happens when a teenager signs up to TikTok? Within seconds, studies find, they are shown harmful content about issues from eating disorders to toxic subcultures, which keeps them scrolling and TikTok profiting from the ads.Neelam Tailor puts TikTok’s algorithm to the test. Creating accounts for two fake children, a 14-year-old boy, Rami, and a 13-year-old girl, Angie, she explores the app’s ‘For You’ page to see what the platform really serves young teens, replicating two studies published in 2022 and 2024.With insight from Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, of University College London, and Imran Ahmed, of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, this video reveals how TikTok profits by pushing vulnerable teenagers toward dangerous content, including self-harm, suicide and incel 2.0 culture• In the US, call or text <a href="https://www.mhanational.org/">Mental Health America</a> at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741. In the UK, the charity <a href="https://www.mind.org.uk/">Mind</a> is available on 0300 123 3393 and <a href="https://www.childline.org.uk/">Childline</a> on 0800 1111. In Australia, support is available at <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue</a> on 1300 22 4636, <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14, and at <a href="https://mensline.org.au/">MensLine</a> on 1300 789 978• In the US, help is available at <a href="http://nationaleatingdisorders.org/">nationaleatingdisorders.org</a> or by calling <a href="https://anad.org/get-help/eating-disorders-helpline/">ANAD's</a> eating disorders hotline at 800-375-7767. In the UK, <a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/">Beat</a> can be contacted on 0808-801-0677. In Australia, the <a href="https://butterfly.org.au/">Butterfly Foundation</a> is at 1800 33 4673. Other international helplines can be found at <a href="https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/international">Eating Disorder Hope</a>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/04/parents-healthy-screen-time-children-tech-simple-tips">Parents, don’t panic – healthy screen time for children is possible, if you follow these few simple tips</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2025/sep/04/how-tiktok-harms-boys-and-girls-differently-video">Continue reading...</a>

فهم تأثير وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي على الشباب أمر بالغ الأهمية، خاصة مع تشكيل منصات مثل تيك توك لوجهات نظرهم وسلوكياتهم. تسلط هذه الدراسة الضوء على المخاطر المحددة التي تواجه الأولاد والبنات، مما يثير مناقشات حول كيفية حماية المستخدمين الشباب.

تكشف دراسة كيف يعرض خوارزمية تيك توك المراهقين لمحتوى ضار بشكل مختلف حسب الجنس. تم استخدام صبي يبلغ من العمر 14 عامًا وفتاة تبلغ من العمر 13 عامًا لاختبار صفحة 'لك' على المنصة، مما يبرز قضايا مثل اضطرابات الأكل والثقافات السامة.

Entender el impacto de las redes sociales en los jóvenes es crucial, especialmente a medida que plataformas como TikTok moldean sus percepciones y comportamientos. Este estudio arroja luz sobre los riesgos específicos que enfrentan niños y niñas, lo que provoca discusiones sobre cómo proteger a los jóvenes usuarios.

Un estudio revela cómo el algoritmo de TikTok expone a los adolescentes a contenido dañino de manera diferente según el género. Se utilizaron un niño de 14 años y una niña de 13 años para probar la página 'Para Ti' de la plataforma, destacando problemas como los trastornos alimentarios y las subculturas tóxicas.

Comprendre l'impact des réseaux sociaux sur les jeunes est crucial, surtout lorsque des plateformes comme TikTok façonnent leurs perceptions et comportements. Cette étude met en lumière les risques spécifiques auxquels sont confrontés les garçons et les filles, suscitant des discussions sur la manière de protéger les jeunes utilisateurs.

Une étude révèle comment l'algorithme de TikTok expose les adolescents à un contenu nuisible différemment selon le sexe. Un garçon de 14 ans et une fille de 13 ans ont été utilisés pour tester la page 'Pour Vous' de la plateforme, mettant en lumière des problèmes comme les troubles alimentaires et les sous-cultures toxiques.

A study reveals how TikTok's algorithm exposes teenagers to harmful content differently based on gender. A 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were used to test the platform's 'For You' page, highlighting issues like eating disorders and toxic subcultures.