TikTok

Pros

• Useful for quick visual references such as makeup swatches
• Broad accessibility for short-form video content

Cons

• Highly addictive algorithm that users describe as 'mind-numbing' and a 'time suck'
• Negative impact on mental health, including increased anxiety and emotional instability
• Prevalence of scams and misleading 'hype' from content creators
• Significant data privacy and security concerns regarding its ownership
• Frequent source of low-quality product recommendations and 'stupid junk' purchases
• Encourages disruptive public behavior, such as scrolling on speaker in quiet environments

Caveats

• Travel and destination research on the platform is often described as unreliable or populated by 'lying poseurs'
• Content is frequently 'nothing like' what creators portray it to be in reality

Best for

• Quick visual first impressions
• Finding makeup swatches

Avoid if

• You have an addictive personality or struggle with time management
• You are concerned about data privacy and foreign government influence
• You are a parent of children or teens sensitive to social media pressure
• You are looking for honest, unhyped travel or product research