Key Takeaways:
- Doctors report a rise in sudden-onset tics among teenage girls during the pandemic, with TikTok use potentially playing a role.
- Stress, anxiety, and social media exposure may combine to amplify symptoms, though causation isn’t confirmed.
- Experts urge tailored approaches to care, emphasizing mental health support over traditional tic treatments.
TikTok Ban
The Pandemic’s Toll on Teen Mental Health
While COVID-19 lockdowns have eased, their psychological aftermath lingers—particularly among adolescents. Pediatricians at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children observed a surprising trend: a sharp increase in functional tic-like behaviors (FTLBs) in teenage girls, a group historically less affected by tic disorders. Unlike classic tics, which often emerge in early childhood and affect more boys, these cases appeared abruptly during the pandemic.
A New Pattern Emerges: Teen Girls and Tics
Before 2020, specialists saw fewer than 10 girls annually with tic disorders. By late 2020, however, clinics reported three to four new cases weekly. Many teens had no prior tic history, though some had family backgrounds of autism, ADHD, or anxiety. One case highlighted by clinicians involved a 14-year-old girl who developed severe motor and vocal tics—including coprolalia (involuntary swearing)—overnight. Her symptoms peaked at school, leading to repeated absences. Notably, she was an active TikTok user who shared videos of her tics online.
TikTok’s Role: Support or Symptom Amplifier?
The hashtag #Tourette, with over 4.8 billion views on TikTok, has become a hub for teens to share tic-related content. While these videos foster community, experts caution they might inadvertently reinforce symptoms. “Teens watching or creating tic content may experience a feedback loop,” explains a BMJ editorial by the clinicians. “Social validation can unintentionally entrench behaviors, especially in those already vulnerable to stress.”
Case Study: When Social Media Meets Stress
The 14-year-old patient’s story underscores the complex interplay of factors. A shy, anxious teen with a family history of neurodevelopmental conditions, she turned to TikTok during lockdowns. After viewing tic-related videos, she began posting her own symptoms, receiving both support and attention. Clinicians hypothesize that pandemic-induced isolation, combined with social media engagement, created a “perfect storm” for functional tics to emerge.
What Experts Say About Treatment and Prevention
Importantly, these cases differ from Tourette syndrome. Traditional tic treatments, like habit reversal therapy, may fall short. Instead, doctors recommend addressing underlying anxiety and depression through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or stress-management techniques. “Focusing solely on tics misses the bigger picture,” says one specialist. “We need to treat the whole person, not just the symptom.”
What This Means for Families:
- Monitor social media use: Open conversations about online content can help teens navigate its impact.
- Seek holistic care: If tics arise suddenly, consider mental health evaluations alongside neurological assessments.
- Promote offline connections: Encourage hobbies and in-person interactions to counterbalance digital exposure.
Related Reading:
- Social Media: increasing anxiety among youths
- Obsession With Selfies, Dangerous for Adolescent Girls
- COVID-19 related increase in childhood tics and tic-like attacks
While TikTok isn’t the sole culprit, its role in shaping teen health behaviors warrants attention. As research evolves, a balanced approach combining empathy, awareness, and evidence-based care may offer the best path forward for affected families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can TikTok cause tics in teenagers?
No direct cause is proven, but exposure to tic-related content may amplify symptoms in teens already vulnerable to stress or anxiety.
What are functional tic-like behaviors (FTLBs)?
Sudden-onset, complex tics triggered by stress or psychological factors, differing from classic tic disorders like Tourette syndrome.
Why are teenage girls more affected?
Experts suggest pandemic isolation, heightened anxiety, and social media engagement created a “perfect storm” for stress-related symptoms.
How do these tics differ from Tourette syndrome?
Tourette’s typically starts in childhood, affects more boys, and involves simpler tics. FTLBs appear abruptly, often with dramatic, socially influenced movements.
What treatments help these tics?
Mental health support (e.g., CBT for anxiety) is prioritized over traditional tic therapies, as symptoms often stem from stress.
Should parents limit TikTok use?
Monitoring content and encouraging offline activities may reduce symptom reinforcement, though individual needs vary.
References
Heyman, I., Liang, H., & Hedderly, T. (2021). COVID-19 related increase in childhood tics and tic-like attacks. Archives of Disease in Childhood. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2021-321748
Forsyth, R. J. (2021). Tics, TikTok and COVID-19. Archives of Disease in Childhood. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2021-321885
