The Effects of TikTok Use on College Student Learning

Author Information

Audrey Mekler

Abstract/Description

TikTok is an app that allows someone to make dancing or lifestyle videos, and it has become increasingly popular the past couple of years, especially with college students. But does that mean that this app poses a challenge to college students paying attention in class and getting their schoolwork done? One hundred and eleven college students between the ages of 18 and 28 from colleges such as Bridgewater State University and UMass Amherst participated in an online survey of 85 questions relating to emerging adulthood and topics such as anxiety, social media, relationships, stress, and more topics that are similar. The results showed that the more time participants spent on TikTok each day, the more they became distracted on TikTok when they were trying to pay attention in class and complete schoolwork. Similar results occurred when looking at losing track of time on TikTok and becoming distracted on TikTok when they were trying to pay attention in class and complete schoolwork. The more that someone found themselves going on TikTok each day, the more they lost track of time on TikTok. These findings show that TikTok can impact college students’ abilities to be able to pay attention in class and get their schoolwork done, so students have the possibility of doing worse in a class if they have and use the app TikTok.

Note on the Author

Audrey Mekler is a junior double majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology. Her research project was completed in the spring of 2021 under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph Schwab (Psychology) through her Research Methods II class on conducting research. Audrey plans to pursue her Master’s degree in Elementary Education after she graduates, and may also further pursue a career in psychology, as well.

Recommended Citation

Mekler, Audrey (2021). The Effects of TikTok Use on College Student Learning. Undergraduate Review, 16, 145-153.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/undergrad_rev/vol16/iss1/19

Rights Statement

Articles published in The Undergraduate Review are the property of the individual contributors and may not be reprinted, reformatted, repurposed or duplicated, without the contributor’s consent.