Analysis of the Impact of Excessive TikTok Use on Students Across All Faculties at Universitas Negeri Medan

Authors

  • Monika Choirala Purba Universitas Negeri Medan

Keywords:

academic behavior, digital literacy, excessive use, social media, university students

Abstract

Advances in digital technology have intensified social media engagement among university students, with TikTok emerging as one of the most frequently used short-video platforms and raising concerns about its academic and psychosocial implications. This study aimed to analyze the perceived impact of excessive TikTok use among students across all faculties at Universitas Negeri Medan. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 15-item Likert-scale questionnaire. A total of 72 respondents were recruited through accidental sampling, and data were collected online via Google Forms from November 26 to December 2, 2025. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and mean scores) were applied to summarize responses and categorize the overall impact level. The findings indicate that the perceived impact of TikTok use falls within the high category, suggesting that students commonly recognize the influence of excessive use on learning focus, time management, face-to-face social interaction, and academic behavior. Despite these risks, respondents also acknowledged TikTok’s constructive potential when used purposefully, particularly as a medium for accessing educational content and supporting creativity. These results imply that institutional and individual strategies should focus on strengthening digital literacy and self-regulation to mitigate negative outcomes while optimizing educational benefits. In conclusion, excessive TikTok use is perceived to have substantial academic and social consequences among students, yet targeted guidance and responsible use can transform the platform into a productive learning resource.

References

[1] C. E. Kirkpatrick and L. L. Lawrie, “TikTok as a source of health information and misinformation for young women in the United States: Survey study,” JMIR Infodemiology, vol. 4, p. e54663, 2024, doi: 10.2196/54663.

[2] Y. Yang, C. Zhang, S. Zhang, and J. Shen, “TikTok in higher education: A systematic review of disciplinary applications, learning outcomes, and implementation factors,” Interactive Learning Environments, pp. 1–21, 2025, doi: 10.1080/10494820.2025.2564736.

[3] A. Günlü, T. Oral, S. Yoo, et al., “Reliability and validity of the problematic TikTok use scale among the general population,” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 14, p. 1068431, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1068431.

[4] X. Zhan, et al., “Influencing factors of short-form video addiction among Chinese university students: A systematic review,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 16, p. 1663670, 2025, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1663670.

[5] C. Benitez-Correa and P. Gonzalez-Torres, “Integrating TikTok in higher education: A case of English as a foreign language teacher education program,” Educational Process: International Journal, vol. 15, p. e2025135, 2025, doi: 10.22521/edupij.2025.15.135.

[6] M. Brand, A. Müller, E. Wegmann, S. Antons, A. Brandtner, S. M. Müller, R. Stark, S. Steins-Loeber, and M. N. Potenza, “Current interpretations of the I-PACE model of behavioral addictions,” Journal of Behavioral Addictions, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1–17, 2025, doi: 10.1556/2006.2025.00020.

[7] A. Katsiroumpa, I. Moisoglou, P. Gallos, Z. Katsiroumpa, O. Konstantakopoulou, M. Tsiachri, and P. Galanis, “Problematic TikTok use and its association with poor sleep: A cross-sectional study among Greek young adults,” Psychiatry International, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 25, 2025, doi: 10.3390/psychiatryint6010025.

[8] J. Meynadier, J. M. Malouff, N. S. Schutte, and N. M. Loi, “Using social media to cope with psychological distress and fear of missing out: The role of social media reward expectancies in social media addiction,” International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, vol. 41, no. 20, pp. 12687–12696, 2025, doi: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2464894.

[9] P. Galanis, A. Katsiroumpa, I. Moisoglou, P. Gallos, Z. Katsiroumpa, O. Konstantakopoulou, M. Tsiachri, and P. Galanis, “The TikTok addiction scale: Development and validation,” AIMS Public Health, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1172–1197, 2024, doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024061.

[10] G. Wang, K. Wu, J. Gu, and Z. Zhang, “The relationship between physical activity and short video addiction among college students: Mediating effects of self-control and social anxiety,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 16, p. 1640353, 2025, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1640353.

[11] J. Xie, et al., “The effect of short-form video addiction on undergraduates’ academic procrastination: A moderated mediation model,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, p. 1298361, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1298361.

[12] Y. Tang and W. He, “Impact of social media addiction on college students’ academic procrastination: A chain mediated effect of lack of self-control and fear of missing out,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 16, p. 1668567, 2025, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1668567.

[13] A. M. Rogowska and O. Lechowicz, “The relationship between problematic TikTok use and depression in university students: The mediating role of insomnia,” Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 14, no. 13, p. 4652, 2025, doi: 10.3390/jcm14134652.

[14] L. Li, et al., “Types of short video addiction among college freshmen: Effects on career adaptability, insomnia, and depressive symptoms,” Acta Psychologica, vol. 248, p. 104380, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104380.

[15] Z. Zhao, et al., “Effect of short video addiction on the sleep quality of college students: Chain intermediary effects of physical activity and procrastination behavior,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, p. 1287735, 2024, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1287735.

[16] A. Malimbe, F. Waani, and E. A. A. Suwu, “Dampak penggunaan aplikasi online TikTok (Douyin) terhadap minat belajar di kalangan mahasiswa sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Politik Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado,” Jurnal Ilmiah Society, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2021.

[17] G. A. Martinu, S. B. Sengkey, and M. Naharia, “Hubungan antara kecenderungan adiksi media sosial TikTok dengan prokrastinasi akademik pada mahasiswa Fakultas Ilmu Pendidikan dan Psikologi Universitas Negeri Manado,” SIBATIK Journal: Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Sosial, Ekonomi, Budaya, Teknologi, dan Pendidikan, vol. 5, no. 2, 2026, doi: 10.54443/sibatik.v5i2.4068.

[18] L. Jain, L. Velez, S. Karlapati, M. Forand, R. Kannali, R. A. Yousaf, R. Ahmed, Z. Sarfraz, P. A. Sutter, C. A. Tallo, and S. Ahmed, “Exploring problematic TikTok use and mental health issues: A systematic review of empirical studies,” Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, vol. 16, p. 21501319251327303, 2025, doi: 10.1177/21501319251327303.

[19] A. Z. Adha, G. M. Kurnia, M. B. Qomaruddin, and S. Widati, “Potential and challenges of TikTok as a media for mental health education for young generation: Literature review,” Media Gizi Kesmas, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 176–193, 2025, doi: 10.20473/mgk.v14i1.2025.176-193.

[20] Nurmala, “TikTok sebagai media interaksi sosial dan pembentukan identitas digital generasi muda,” 2022. (Detail publikasi belum dicantumkan pada daftar Anda; silakan lengkapi: jurnal/penerbit/volume/halaman/URL/DOI).

[21] T. Damayanti and I. Gemiharto, “Kajian dampak negatif aplikasi berbagi video bagi anak-anak di bawah umur di Indonesia,” Communication, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–15, 2019.

[22] I. R. Aditomo, A. F. N. Swastika, and E. N. D. Imanda, “TikTok addiction and academic stress among university students: Examining the mediating role of social support,” International Journal Administration, Business & Organization, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 174–185, 2025, doi: 10.61242/ijabo.25.547.

[23] D. A. Dillman, J. D. Smyth, and L. M. Christian, Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2014, doi: 10.1002/9781394260645.

[24] “Sampling, Nonprobability,” in The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. SAGE Research Methods.

[25] “What Is Convenience Sampling? Definition & Examples,” Scribbr, 2022.

[26] R. Likert, “A technique for the measurement of attitudes,” Archives of Psychology, no. 140, pp. 1–55, 1932.

[27] Agianto, dkk., “Dampak penggunaan aplikasi TikTok terhadap perilaku mahasiswa,” 2023.

[28] A. Malimbe, F. J. Waani, dan E. A. A. Suwu, “Dampak penggunaan aplikasi online TikTok (Douyin) terhadap minat belajar di kalangan mahasiswa sosiologi FISIP Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado,” Jurnal Ilmiah Society, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2021.

[29] Tim Peneliti Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo, “Algoritma TikTok dan pengaruhnya terhadap pola penggunaan media sosial mahasiswa,” 2025.

[30] A. Mekler, “The impact of TikTok on students’ attention and academic performance,” Bridgewater State University, 2025.

[31] Tamur, dkk., “Media sosial TikTok dan keterlibatan pengguna dalam ruang digital,” 2023.

[32] Nadine dan Junaidi, “TikTok sebagai media interaksi sosial dan pembentukan identitas digital generasi muda,” 2023. [33] Aulad Journal, “TikTok sebagai sarana edukasi dan literasi digital generasi Z,” 2025.

[34] Tim Peneliti Universitas Jambi, “Pemanfaatan TikTok sebagai media pembelajaran bahasa Inggris pada mahasiswa,” 2024.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-03

Issue

Section

Articles