During a recent trip to Kuwait, I found myself confined to a hotel room with lackluster television options. To while away the time, I turned to TikTok, a platform that hardly needs an introduction. TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon, especially among teenagers, but it has also sparked controversies and political debates worldwide.
While in Kuwait, my TikTok experience was quite different from the typical teenage-centric content. Many videos I encountered were created by adults, particularly domestic workers in the Gulf region
In the United States, TikTok gained widespread attention when former President Joe Biden threatened to ban it over alleged links to the Chinese military. His successor, Donald Trump, had earlier attempted a ban but then eased restrictions after ByteDance -- the original Chinese owner -- restructured the company. Today, TikTok operates as an independent entity with a CEO from Singapore, distancing itself from direct Chinese control.
While in Kuwait, my TikTok experience was quite different from the typical teenage-centric content. Many videos I encountered were created by adults, particularly domestic workers in the Gulf region. These workers used TikTok as a window into their lives -- especially their work routines in places like Saudi Arabia. Through their videos, I glimpsed the homes they maintain: Sprawling living rooms known locally as “majlish,” vast dining areas, and expansive kitchens. One domestic worker proudly showcased the luxurious bedrooms of her employer’s home.
What struck me was how TikTok served as a powerful communication tool. Instead of writing long letters, these workers could simply show their families the environment where they lived and worked. It was a vivid, direct connection bridging great distances.
In stark contrast, another worker shared her exhausting reality -- mounds of dirty dishes she was tasked to wash daily. Yet another revealed her life caring for livestock, sleeping near the stables. One woman, speaking anonymously without showing her face, shared her experiences of sexual harassment. These varied narratives revealed multiple layers of hardship and resilience among migrant domestic workers.
For those preparing to travel overseas for work, such TikTok videos can serve as invaluable educational resources -- offering honest, firsthand glimpses of what to expect. It is a form of peer education born from lived experience.
However, TikTok and other social media platforms are not without serious concerns, especially regarding youth mental health and safety. A recent and tragic example is the fatal shooting of Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old medical student and popular TikTok creator from Chitral, Pakistan. Sana was murdered in front of her family in Islamabad, an event that shocked the nation and highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by young creators online.
Psychologists have observed that many teenagers now tie their self-esteem to the number of likes and followers they receive on social media. This fixation often leads to compulsive monitoring of engagement metrics and emotional distress when posts fail to gain instant approval. The constant pressure to perform and be validated online has significant psychological consequences.
Worse still, social media platforms have become arenas for harassment and abuse. Girls and young women, in particular, face rampant cyberbullying, gender-based harassment, and exploitation. Some platforms have even been used to distribute nude images of teenage girls without consent, amplifying the risks of online exposure and trauma.
Mental health experts warn that these issues have contributed to the emergence of a new condition known as Problematic Internet Use (PIU). PIU describes compulsive and harmful online behaviour that seriously disrupts emotional and psychological well-being.
In response to these growing concerns, the Australian government took groundbreaking action in November 2024 by passing the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. This world-first legislation bans users under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Notably, gaming and messaging platforms are exempt, as are platforms accessible without accounts -- meaning services like YouTube are spared.
The law mandates that social media companies implement effective age-verification systems to prevent underage users from registering accounts. The goal is to protect young Australians from exposure to online harms such as bullying, hate speech, and inappropriate content. The ban will officially come into effect in December 2025.
This pioneering move by Australia has sparked international interest, with several countries reportedly considering similar restrictions. Norway, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, and Japan are among those exploring legislation to regulate youth access to social media. These developments signal a potential global shift toward stricter oversight and protection of minors online.
TikTok is a double-edged social media platform. On the one hand, it is a dynamic platform that enables marginalized voices -- like migrant domestic workers -- to share their realities and connect with loved ones across borders. It fosters community, education, and empowerment in ways previously unimaginable.
On the other hand, TikTok and similar apps pose serious challenges around mental health, self-esteem, exploitation, and abuse -- especially for vulnerable teenagers. The rise of compulsive online behaviour and the exploitation of young users have prompted urgent calls for regulation and safety reforms worldwide.
Navigating this complex terrain requires balancing the positive potential of social media as a tool for connection and education against the need for safeguarding mental health and privacy.
In the meantime, it is essential to recognize that social media is not just a space for entertainment -- it is a powerful tool of education and a social force with profound implications for individuals and societies. Conversations like this one, about TikTok’s multifaceted impact, are vital as we collectively decide how to shape its role in our lives.
Habibul Haque Khondker is a sociologist and columnist.
