A study of adolescents’ and young adults’ TikTok challenge participation in South India

R. Roth; P. Ajithkumar; G. Natarajan; K. Achuthan; P. Moon; H. Zinzow; K. Chalil Madathil

Human Factors in Healthcare (Dec 2021)

A study of adolescents’ and young adults’ TikTok challenge participation in South India

R. Roth,
P. Ajithkumar,
G. Natarajan,
K. Achuthan,
P. Moon,
H. Zinzow,
K. Chalil Madathil

Affiliations

R. Roth: Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA; Corresponding author at: 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
P. Ajithkumar: Department of Clinical Psychology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
G. Natarajan: Department of Clinical Psychology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
K. Achuthan: Department of Clinical Psychology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
P. Moon: Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
H. Zinzow: Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
K. Chalil Madathil: Departments of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, USA; Corresponding author at: 212 Lowry Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1
p. 100005

Abstract

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Involvement in social media activities has become a significant aspect of adolescents’ lives. Participation in numerous social media challenges with a variety of goals is also common among youth across platforms. Recently, the new app called TikTok has resulted in an increased level and variety of social media activities among youth. This study examines the factors related to participation in TikTok challenges, their potential impacts on adolescents and young adults, and participant reflection after performing a challenge. We recruited 25 adolescents and young adults who were actively involved in TikTok challenges from several secondary schools and colleges in South India. We administered a semi-structured, retrospective interview after screening participants through an online survey. The interview assessed motivations for participation, content of social media posts, and perceived consequences of participation. Based on the integrated behavior model, we conducted a theoretically grounded thematic analysis of the data. Our thematic analysis revealed that the factors closely related to the integrated behavior model motivated participation, such as attitudes, norms, personal agency, knowledge and skill, environmental constraints, habits, and individual differences. Further, one of the most frequent reasons reported as a motivational factor was being affirmed by others or peer pressure. Participants typically reported enjoying these challenges and experiencing positive feelings after completing the challenge. Overall, the participants seemed to have positive views of TikTok challenges and enjoyed the views and likes that came from posting about their participation in the challenge. Irrespective of the type of challenge participated in, the participants commented that taking part in online challenges is enjoyable and makes them feel confident. In sum, these adolescents appear to spend large amounts of time on TikTok due to the lure of online challenges and associated emotional states.

Published in Human Factors in Healthcare

ISSN: 2772-5014 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/human-factors-in-healthcare

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