The 6 signs your child has ‘TikTok brain’ – and how many hours is safe to scroll

SOCIAL media usage has shot up in recent years, with more of us than ever glued to Instagram, Tik Tok, X and Facebook.

Research from GWI shows that globally, nearly a third (30 per cent) of 16- to 24-year-olds, 29 per cent of 25- to 34-year-olds and 22 per cent of 35- to 44-year-old spend more than six hours a day on social media. 

On top of this, nearly half of 12- to 15-year-olds (48 per cent) use TikTok every single day; this is up from 37 per cent in 2022.

Over half (55 per cent) say they’re using social media to talk to friends, a quarter (24 per cent) are using it to buy things and 51 per cent use it to find funny videos and posts.

But, while social media may have its positives, it can also cause serious problems across various areas of a child’s health. 

So much so, that the negative impact on cognition has been dubbed ‘TikTok brain’.

Symptoms include irritability and poor posture, experts say. 

Claire Law, counsellor and psychotherapist, says: “Mood swings, anxiety and withdrawal are also common signs of too much time spent online.

“If children are swapping out hobbies they once loved for hours of scrolling or can’t seem to focus on anything else, it’s a warning sign their virtual life is overtaking the real one.”

Claire says that social media is built to be addictive. 

“Kids tell me they love TikTok because ‘it’s hilarious’ and ‘there’s always something new’,” she says.

“Each scroll pumps out the hormone dopamine, making them feel good and keeping them hooked.”

Chris Meaden, leading hypnotherapist and founder of The Meaden Clinic, adds that the addiction to social media can start the moment a profile is created.

“New habits are formed, and these are reinforced each time the device is picked up and an app is accessed,” he says. 

Concerned that your child’s – or your own – social media usage is becoming a problem?

These are the signs to look out for.

1. They aren’t sleeping 

Children over the age of six need up to 12 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, but excessive time on social media could be disrupting this.

Social media could be wrecking adult sleep too. 

Claire says: “It’s not just kids’ brains that are overstimulated — constant screen exposure, especially late at night, leaves us wired.

“The blue light from screens messes with melatonin production, wrecking sleep patterns.”

This lack of sleep can then lead to limited energy during the day and a dampened mood.

“A solid rule? No screens at least an hour before bed to help them – and you – wind down,” adds Claire. 

Simbarashe Shamu, a behaviour specialist, adds: “Research has found that stopping social media usage one hour before bedtime also resulted in improved sleep outcomes.”

2. Their posture isn’t right 

We know that too much time slumped over a laptop does our posture zero favours, and the same applies for children’s phone usage. 

“The curved-neck position from being on the phone for hours will eventually result in physical conditions, if not immediate, eventually in the future,” warns Chris. 

“The body is designed to move and flex; not remain in a rigid position for hours every day.”

Claire suggests looking out for slumped shoulders or stiff hands as constant phone use can lead to ‘texting claw’. 

“Encourage regular breaks and get them into activities that strengthen their hands, like drawing or moulding clay, to counteract these effects,” she adds.

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3. They’re more emotional 

If your child seems to be more anxious or upset, it could be due to too much time online. 

“In my experience, social media has a powerful influence over our children – and can cause an increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm and much more,” says Chris.

“It affects a child’s development, social skills, attention span and overall mental wellbeing, with real world activities being displaced with virtual ones.”

Ensuring your child still gets good sleep, as per the above, is important, however Claire adds: “If your child is clocking in more than two hours a day on social media, it might be time to draw some lines.

“Balance is critical—when screen time starts pushing out things like homework or outdoor fun, it’s a problem.”

4. They want to be alone 

Has your child started to retreat a little more, spending more time in their room?

Whilst this is often a classic teenager trait, it may be a sign that they’re spending too much time on their phones.

“A parent may notice their child retreating to their room more than usual,” Chris says.

“They may be more irritable or angry too, they may be exhausted and their eating habits may change.”

Sim adds: “You may notice that social media becomes the most important thing in their day and there is a need for increasing amounts of time on social media to achieve the same buzz.”

5. They’re irritable and angry 

As well as the emotional element, your child may start to become more annoyed, perhaps demonstrating a shorter fuse than normal.

“If a child is on social media too much, they’ll be more irritable, become frustrated over small things, be impatient and may experience anger and rage,” says Chris.

Claire adds: “Excessive screen time can rewire your child’s brain, making focus harder and emotional regulation even tougher. 

“You might notice them being more impatient when they’re off their phone.

“The constant barrage of quick hits from social media conditions their brains to crave instant rewards, leaving them frustrated with slower, real-world tasks like schoolwork.”

Parents should keep a close eye on their child’s direct messages, especially any hidden ones

Chris MeadenHypnotherapist

Regulating the amount of time your child spends on social media can help.

“As adults we should be able to manage our screentime; a child’s brain isn’t developed enough to do this, so parents need to do it for them,” says Chris. 

6. They refuse to share their passwords 

Although children should have some privacy, to allow them to grow up independently, according to Chris, parents should be concerned if their child refuses to share their social media passwords.

“Parents should keep a close eye on their child’s direct messages, especially any hidden ones,” he says.

“They should look at the photos that are being shared with their child – including selfies and videos.”

According to research by the Children’s Commissioner’s Office, 45 per cent of children aged eight to 17 have seen content they felt was inappropriate or made them worried or upset.

How much time is too much time on social media?

There aren’t any official guidelines on social media usage for kids, or adults.

However, as Sim explains: “In one study, 230 undergraduates were randomly selected to either continue using social media as usual, or limit usage to 30 minutes per day.

“Significant improvements in psychological wellbeing were found after two weeks.”

Half an hour each day might seem too low and unachievable, especially if your child is currently spending much more time than that on social media. 

Claire recommends finding a balance. 

“Have open discussions about your kids’ online habits and set boundaries everyone can stick to, like no screens during meals or before sleep,” she says.

“And don’t forget — kids reflect what they see. Modelling healthy screen use yourself is half the battle.”

You might benefit from implementing some ‘rules’ which state when phones can be used; ban phones from the table during meals and remove phones and other devices when children go upstairs to bed and leave them to charge downstairs. 

Claire adds: “If children are glued to their screens, maybe ask yourself if you’re doing the same.

“Kids often mimic what they see, and when they’re addicted to social media, it’s usually a reflection of what’s happening at home.

“Boundaries like no phones at the dinner table or before bed aren’t just for kids; they help us too.”

If you can, limit your social media usage to when you’re apart from your children.