Spending a bit of time throughout the day on our favorite apps doesn’t sound harmful at all. But when that “bit of time” transforms into hours of scrolling through amusing short videos, disconnecting users from real-life events, it raises concerns about potential social media addiction.

Certainly, no one could blame us for becoming increasingly dependent on our screens, with apps’ algorithms providing personalized video recommendations based on what we’ve previously watched and liked.

But being online for an abnormal amount of time can jeopardize our relationships with the people we love and care about. Such was the experience shared by a man on Reddit, who felt compelled to limit the time he and his wife spent on TikTok.

Man’s wife recently got really into TikTok. He thought it was ‘just a fun way’ for her to relax after work.

Initially, the husband (34M) was unbothered by his (30F) wife’s new habit of scrolling through TikTok reels. He assumed it was a fun way for her to unwind after work and perhaps even discover new interests – like learning a new recipe, for example.

Over time, however, she became entirely zoned out for hours. Her weekly screen time report revealed that she was spending around six hours a day on TikTok, which felt extreme from his perspective.

The husband noticed that the app was taking up more and more of his wife’s time. “She would be scrolling, headphones on, totally zoned out,” he explained. When he checked their weekly screen time report, he was shocked to find she spent roughly six hours daily on TikTok.

According to a 2020 study from the University of California, people who use TikTok for more than an hour a day are more likely to develop an addiction to it and are often unaware of how much time they’ve spent on the platform.

Her ‘relaxation time’ on TikTok began to affect their daily life in small but frustrating ways. She would forget tasks she was doing, like leaving dinner in the oven for too long, or neglect household responsibilities.

The man watched helplessly as their little moments started to disappear. His wife seemed increasingly preoccupied with her TikTok feed. When he brought up the issue, the couple had a serious discussion. However, the woman became defensive at his suggestion to limit her time on TikTok, accusing him of being “controlling”.

When the couple discussed the matter, she dismissed his concerns, and argued that it felt like he didn’t trust her ability to manage her own time. Still, the man couldn’t ignore the toll it was taking on their relationship.

A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found TikTok to be the most highly addictive social media platform. TikTok’s steady flow of content provides enjoyment, but also demands the user’s concentration in what researchers call “entertainment spiral”.

Unable to watch their couple time slip away, the man proposed a compromise.

The couple agreed to set limits on their phones, reducing TikTok usage to two hours per day. Now the man wonders if he is the asshole for suggesting these limits on her (and his) TikTok time.

The online community largely supported the OP’s decision, with many users sharing similar experiences of struggling with app overuse.

While most agreed with setting screen time limits, others advocated for deleting TikTok and similarly addictive apps altogether.

What are your thoughts on the story? Do you agree with deleting apps that foster addictive habits? Share your opinions in the comment section below.

Image credits: cottonbro studio