Teens are now spending more time on TikTok and research shows the average adolescent uses the platform for 1.78 hours a day, about 54 hours a month.
Experts warn that the type of content they view can influence behaviour, mental health, and sleep.
Data from The Marketing Heaven shows TikTok is a huge part of teen life in the U.S. and globally. New trends, such as #Pingtok, chroming challenges, and “Pink Tote Lid” confession videos, have increased exposure to risky or emotionally intense content.
“This isn’t passive media consumption,” says Brian Futral, head of Content Marketing at The Marketing Heaven. “It’s immersive, algorithm-driven exposure. When teens are spending nearly two hours a day inside one recommendation engine, the nature of that content matters more than ever.”
#Pingtok and Chroming Challenges
In early 2026, #Pingtok gained attention as teenagers created stylised videos showing drug use.
Futral explains, “When risky behavior is framed in soft lighting and trending audio, it stops looking dangerous. It starts looking aspirational. Algorithms do not distinguish between healthy engagement and harmful engagement. They amplify what keeps people watching.”
Resurfacing chroming challenges involve inhaling toxic fumes, sometimes with fatal consequences. Meanwhile, “Pink Tote Lid” videos feature teens sharing personal challenges.
Some see these as community-building. Others argue they turn private experiences into public performance.
Futral adds, “TikTok has become both a stage and a therapist for some teens. The line between connection and exposure is blurring. When validation is measured in views and comments, vulnerability can turn into performance. When you’re on the app for 50-plus hours a month, trends shape identity. That is especially powerful during adolescence.”
Regulatory and Legal Attention
In 2026, TikTok, Meta, and YouTube are being sued in the U.S. and Europe for features like infinite scroll and autoplay, which encourage addictive behaviour. The European Commission cited these features under the Digital Services Act.
TikTok now sets a default 60-minute daily limit on screen time for users under 18, though it can be bypassed. Futral notes, “The fact that platforms are pre-setting limits tells you the industry recognises a problem. We’ve moved from debating whether there’s an issue to debating how big it is.”
Advice for Parents and Brands
Parents should focus on content teens see, not just screen time spent on TikTok. “You can’t just ask how long your teen is on TikTok. You have to ask what TikTok is feeding them,” says Futral.
Brands and creators are under pressure too. “If brands contribute to harmful or exploitative trends, they will face backlash. Sustainable growth in 2026 means understanding digital well-being as part of strategy, not a PR afterthought,” Futral adds.
A 2025 CDC/NIH study found U.S. teens with higher non-school screen time were more likely to report sleep problems, anxiety, and lower physical activity.
The WHO reported that problematic social media use among adolescents rose from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. Advocacy groups say TikTok has not done enough to address these risks.
