Influence of TikTok social network on generation Z

Abstract

This study aims to look into the influence of TikTok social network usage behavior on generation Z in three areas including learning, communication and personal development. A total of 1,015 students in grades 7, 8, 10 and 11 from middle and high schools in the North, Central and South regions took part in the current study. The main tool used was a questionnaire designed by the research team with 50 items with reliability Cronbach's Alpha = 0,83. Research results illustrated that Gen Z used TikTok for 3 main purposes such as entertainment, learning and emotional relief. The behavior of using TikTok had both positive and negative impacts on their perception, attitude and behavior in the fields of learning, communication and selfdevelopment. Nevertheless, TikTok had more positive effects than negative ones, in which selfdevelopment was the most positively influenced aspect. The outcomes highlighted the reality of TikTok usage behavior of Gen Z as well as the influence of this social network on children's mentality in the current context. Contributions, limitations and directions for future research are also discussed in this study.