College students must begin reading more than social media headlines and news headlines because reading can expand their vocabulary, their knowledge and ultimately give their eyes some rest from their phone. Students should also read newspapers to get a better understanding of what current events are going on in the world.
One thing about TikTok is that it has many age groups’ attention and can have them scrolling for hours without noticing how much time has passed by. TikTok poses a serious challenge to students’ intellectual development, critical thinking skills and overall understanding of the world. Even though TikTok can provide quick entertainment and information, it is vital for students to get into the habit of reading longer texts to enhance their knowledge and improve their perception.
As a society, the way that college students consume information has changed as a result of short-form material, such as TikTok. On TikTok, you can find out certain things through different influencers about other influencers or celebrities. For example, some influencers do talk about the events that go on in the world, and that keeps most students in tune with what is going on but not in full depth, like if you were to read a news article or listen to CNN news.
TikTok is fast-paced with getting the information out. For instance, they make jokes or the information is not as in-depth as if you were to watch or read a news article, but it is more entertaining. Therefore, students can find it difficult to take in and remember the large amounts of information they come across, such as when students are in class because they develop a short attention span.
Studies indicate that students’ attention spans may be shortened by repeated exposure to short texts and videos on TikTok, which makes it harder for them to focus on longer readings. Depending too much on TikTok headlines can probably diminish your perspective. Students can study arguments and make connections between concepts when they engage with complex ideas, which takes time and reflection. On the other hand, TikTok delivers information pretty fast but does not encourage such deep engagement.
The outcome might result in students being unprepared to be able to handle complex discussions or evaluate differing perspectives, eventually impacting their academic performance and personal growth. TikTok can be educational, more like helpful tips in everyday life hacks, freshman college tips, fashion tips or influencer tips. For instance, some influencers like to give tips on different topics, and some influencers come on TikTok to gossip about celebrities or politics, more so about the election.
Sometimes, TikTok can tell you about something, and it seems interesting or important, so you look it up to see it in more depth to better understand the circumstance. One thing that I heard on TikTok and then researched was Project 2025. The way it was explained on TikTok caused me to become aware and want to read it because it did not sound appealing to me and still does not. I feel as though TikTok can be a source of information, but you also have to do your research after. Also, do not just read TikTok headlines, at least now and then or every other week or week read a news article to stay in tune with not only the social media platforms but with the politics too.
Reading longer texts and a text that does not involve any TikTok headlines can benefit you in many ways. Reading can enhance your comprehension and entice reading experiences to lead to better understanding and retention of information. When students dig into books or in-depth articles, they participate in complex concepts and develop a greater grasp of the message. Reading widely exposes students to diverse viewpoints and cultures. Books often serve as windows into different worlds, become reader’s perspectives and facilitate empathy. In today’s society, the ability to understand and appreciate differing viewpoints is vitally important. Reading prepares a sense of empathy, encouraging students to consider issues from multiple angles and develop well-rounded opinions. One effective approach for students is to try to make reading an article or a book into your daily life. While TikTok headlines can offer quick entertainment and snippets of information, they fall short of furthering the critical thinking and deep understanding that longer text provides. Students must recognize the importance of reading beyond short-form content to enhance their cognitive development, empathy and knowledge.