Despite rules requiring users to be at least 13, an estimated 1.5 million Polish children aged 7 to 13 actively use TikTok—often with their parents’ knowledge or consent, according to sociologist and media educator Agnieszka Taper of the Bonum Humanum Foundation.
Experts say children often lie about their age to access the platform and that TikTok’s parental controls only allow time limits—without insight into viewed content or algorithmic recommendations.
Taper said TikTok’s content personalization is radically different for children, targeting emotions and behavior and leading to more extreme or age-inappropriate content.
Studies show children are exposed to videos about self-harm, eating disorders and suicide, which they often interpret as social norms.
Prof. Mariusz Jędrzejko, a youth safety expert, called TikTok “a tool of behavioral manipulation” and said its algorithm is among the world’s most aggressive.
“It’s not communication—it’s behavior modeling,” he said.
Jędrzejko said the platform collects vast behavioral data and feeds back decontextualized content packaged as entertainment.
“That’s disinformation—and it’s no accident,” he said.
Recent teen suicides in Poland involving similar farewell messages and hashtags have raised alarm. TikTok says it removes harmful content proactively and blocks sensitive search terms. But experts argue that if such content reaches wide audiences, it poses a risk to society.
Michał Twardosz, head of the Project.pl Foundation, said many parents ignore or downplay their children’s digital lives. Some toddlers are now getting smartphones, he said, under the belief it helps with safety or digital skills—despite research showing it harms cognitive development.
Twardosz pointed to a broader cultural problem, including infant-targeted toy phones and phone holders for potties and car seats.
“It all sends the message that a smartphone is a natural extension of life from infancy,” he said.
Jędrzejko added the issue is not only psychological but moral: “If we know a tool harms children and we keep using it, that’s immoral. It’s not about ideology—it’s about facts and responsibility.”
Some countries, including Australia, have responded by raising the minimum TikTok user age to 16.
Experts say bans alone are not enough without education campaigns targeting parents.
“Every month of delay means more data harvested, more disorders, and more harm,” Jędrzejko said.
"This is a test of whether the state is mature enough to protect its most vulnerable citizens," he added.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP