TikTok's Algorithm: Creating a New "Digital Inequality" Among Children

A culture of short-form videos is creating a new form of digital inequality based on visibility and popularity. This is according to experts studying social media's impact on youth. The algorithms that control content visibility can make certain types of children more prominent while pushing others into the background. This selective visibility can directly impact a child's self-confidence and sense of identity. The concern is that online validation becomes linked to self-worth. This dynamic is central to the experience of the "TikTok generation." It raises questions about how digital platforms shape childhood development.