TikTok has become one of the most popular apps in the world, especially among young people. With short, catchy videos and endless scrolling, it’s easy to spend hours on the platform. But lately, many people have started to wonder: is TikTok causing problems with focus and attention?
New research is raising serious concerns about how TikTok may be affecting the way people think about mental health—especially ADHD.
What's Happening?
A new study published in the journal PLOS One found that less than half of the claims in popular ADHD-related TikTok videos were actually correct. In fact, many of these videos shared ideas that don’t match real medical guidelines or professional advice.
This is a big deal, because millions of people—especially teenagers—are getting information about ADHD from TikTok. And when that information is wrong or misleading, it can cause confusion or even harm.
Why This Matters
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a medical condition that affects how people pay attention, stay organized, and control impulses. It is usually diagnosed by a trained doctor after a full evaluation.
But on TikTok, anyone can post a video saying things like:
"If you get bored easily, you probably have ADHD.”
"If you can’t finish tasks, that’s a sure sign of ADHD"
"ADHD means your brain works faster than others."
These types of statements are not always true. And they can lead to people thinking they have ADHD when they don’t—or ignoring real symptoms that should be treated by a professional.
What Experts Say
Experts warn that TikTok’s algorithm promotes the most emotional or attention-grabbing content, not the most accurate. This means that videos with catchy titles or dramatic stories are more likely to go viral—even if they are spreading incorrect ideas about ADHD.
According to the researchers behind the PLOS One study, this misinformation could lead to over-self-diagnosis, or worse, prevent people with real ADHD from getting the right help.
What You Should Know
Here are some key points to remember:
• ADHD is a serious condition that needs a medical diagnosis.
• TikTok is not a trusted source for mental health advice.
• Misinformation can lead to confusion and self-misdiagnosis.
• It’s important to talk to a doctor or psychologist if you think you might have ADHD.
TikTok is a fun and creative platform, but when it comes to mental health, we need to be careful. The recent study shows that many ADHD videos on the app are not based on science. If you’re struggling with focus, energy, or attention, don’t rely on social media to figure it out. Instead, talk to someone who’s trained to help.