Students remove TikTok to study - 14th November 2022

Students in the UK have started taking TikTok off their phones. They remove the app at exam times because it prevents them from studying.

Eleanor Crabbe's a 22-year-old student at Cardiff University. She deleted the app when getting ready for exams. 'I noticed I spend too much time on it.'

Ed Barnes, also a student, had the same experience. 'Every video is so different, it is easy to keep watching.'

Experts agree users can get addicted - TikTok's hard to stop watching. Dr Nia Williams, from Bangor University, explains users' brains produce 'dopamine'. This chemical creates a feeling of pleasure.

Are you addicted? Or is it simply a habit? Experts ask certain questions to find out. Does TikTok mean you spend less time with family and friends? Are you giving less time to your interests? Do you worry if you don't check TikTok? If you answered 'yes' to these, you may be addicted.

Catherine Keenan's a UK TikTok star. She says TikTok can help students. For example, it gives study and health tips. But Dr Williams suggests deleting the app for a week or month. 'Be in control of your phone, don't let your phone control you.'