The Pros of Deleting TikTok
Deleting TikTok can help break the addictive grip the app may have on your life. Studies show high levels of addiction among users, with 68% of teenage girls saying they feel addicted to TikTok or use it more than intended (source). The constant stream of short, entertaining videos makes it easy to lose track of time scrolling. Deleting the app takes away the temptation and makes room for other activities.
There are also valid privacy concerns with TikTok. As a Chinese-owned app, data practices are obscure and TikTok likely shares data with the Chinese government. Deleting the app prevents any further data gathering and protects your privacy.
Finally, excessive TikTok use, especially among teenagers, is linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression. One study found 77.7% of Gen Z users reported negative mental health effects from using the app (source). Taking a break from the curated feeds and social comparison can improve mental wellbeing.
The Cons of Deleting TikTok
One major downside of deleting your TikTok account is losing all of your followers and connections that you’ve built up. TikTok does not allow you to transfer your followers if you decide to create a new account. So if you’ve amassed a large following, deleting your account means having to start completely from scratch in rebuilding your audience.
Additionally, by deleting your TikTok account you’ll be missing out on all the latest trends and viral moments happening on the platform. Part of TikTok’s appeal is being able to participate in popular challenges, dances, memes, etc. If you’re not on the app, it can feel FOMO seeing all your friends taking part in trends that you’re disconnected from.
TikTok is also where the newest music releases tend to gain traction first. New song snippets and dance challenges emerge on TikTok before spreading to other platforms. Without an account, you won’t be looped into the latest music crazes as quickly.
There are definite networking and relationship-building benefits to having a TikTok presence. Deleting your account cuts you off from collaborating with other creators, potentially limiting future opportunities. Overall, leaving TikTok means missing out on the cultural zeitgeist and viral moments happening on one of the fastest growing social platforms.
How TikTok’s Algorithm Works
TikTok’s algorithm determines which videos appear on your For You page (FYP) based on your previous engagement and interactions. It aims to keep you endlessly scrolling by showing you content that you are most likely to enjoy and interact with (e.g. like, comment, share). The more you engage with certain types of content, the more likely those will appear in your FYP.
The algorithm works quickly to identify your interests based on the videos you like, comment on, share, and the accounts you follow. Within hours of using the app, it can build a hyper-customized feed just for you. It detects subtle preferences like musical tastes, interests, values, and personality traits.
Some experts have warned that the addictive, personalized nature of TikTok’s algorithm can have negative mental health implications. The constant stream of personalized, emotionally-charged content keeps people scrolling endlessly. Critics argue the algorithm can too easily detect and prey on people’s vulnerabilities and encourage harmful content.
To keep your FYP engaging but healthy, it’s important to actively engage with the content you want to see more of, while avoiding content that doesn’t serve you. Following topics and creators you admire can help the algorithm serve you quality content. Allowing yourself limited time on the app may also help combat addictive scrolling patterns.
Alternatives to Deleting
Deleting your TikTok account entirely may feel drastic. Before taking that step, consider some alternatives that allow you to still use the platform but in a more moderate, healthy way:
Take a break from the app for a set period of time, such as a week or a month. This gives you a chance to reset and evaluate if you want to continue using TikTok when the break is over. You can reinstall the app after your break if you choose.
Limit your time on the app per day or per week. Set limits in your phone’s settings or use an app like ScreenTime to restrict TikTok usage. Give yourself set windows of TikTok access rather than mindlessly scrolling.
Unfollow accounts that don’t bring you joy or that promote toxic comparisons. Curate your For You feed and Following feed to only include uplifting, positive content from creators you truly enjoy. TikTok’s algorithm will adjust to show you more of what you actively engage with.
Overall, set healthy boundaries with TikTok just as you would with any social media app or activity. And know that fully deleting your account is still an option if you find the app is negatively impacting your mental health or time management.
How to Download Your Data
If you decide to delete your TikTok account, you may want to download your data first so you have a record of your videos, likes, comments, and other information. Here are the steps to download your TikTok data before deleting your account:
1. Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Select “Privacy and settings” and then tap on “Download your data.”
3. Tap on “Request data” to initiate the download process. TikTok will start compiling your data which can take up to 24 hours.
4. Once ready, TikTok will send a download link to the email associated with your account. The file will contain your profile info, videos, messages, comments, liked content, and more (source).
5. After downloading your data, you can then proceed to delete your TikTok account permanently knowing you have a copy of your information.
How to Permanently Delete Your Account
To permanently delete your TikTok account, follow these steps:
1. Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap on the three dot menu icon in the top right corner and select “Manage account”.
3. Tap on “Delete account” and then “Permanently delete account”.
4. Enter your password when prompted to confirm your identity.
5. Select a reason for deleting your account from the dropdown menu.
6. Tap “Permanently delete” to confirm.
Once you permanently delete your account, TikTok warns that your account cannot be restored and that all your videos, likes, followers and other data will be permanently removed from TikTok’s servers. So be certain you want to delete your account before proceeding.
If you simply deactivate your account, you have 30 days to reactivate it before the account is permanently deleted. But once you select “Permanently delete account”, there is no going back.
What Happens When You Delete TikTok?
When you permanently delete your TikTok account, all of your account data including videos, likes, comments, messages, followers and followed accounts will be erased and cannot be recovered according to TikTok’s account deletion support page. This data removal happens immediately after you complete the account deletion process.
Deleting your TikTok account also removes the app and your account from any devices you’ve logged into. You won’t be able to access your old account or data again if you re-download the app. Essentially, it will be like you never had a TikTok account after you delete it.
However, according to TikTok’s Privacy Policy, some data like your account info, posts, comments and associated metadata may continue to exist in TikTok’s backups and audit logs after deletion. This residual data remains subject to TikTok’s privacy policy but won’t be accessible to other users.
Should You Create a New Account?
If you decide to permanently delete your TikTok account, you may be wondering if you should start fresh by creating a brand new account. There are some pros and cons to consider.
On the pro side, creating a new account gives you a clean slate to build your audience again from scratch. You won’t be dragged down by low engagement on old videos. It’s a chance to rebrand yourself or create new content without any baggage from your previous account.
However, there are also some drawbacks. You will lose all of your current followers and have to start building relationships again. According to TikTok’s inactive account policy, if you try to reuse the same username after 180 days, it may no longer be available (https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/inactive-account-policy).
TikTok’s algorithm also tends to favor accounts with an established history of posting and engagement. As a new account, your videos may not get pushed out as much until you build up credibility within the app.
Overall, creating a new TikTok account after deleting your old one can be a double-edged sword. While it offers a fresh start, you also have to be prepared to invest time rebuilding your audience and regaining traction with the algorithm.
Tips for Growing Your Audience Again
One of the best ways to quickly grow your TikTok following again after starting a new account is to leverage popular hashtags. Check trending hashtags daily and use relevant ones in your captions, especially for newer videos. This helps put your content in front of people already searching those hashtags. According to Buffer, using the maximum of 100 characters for your caption and incorporating a mix of popular and niche hashtags can help videos get discovered.
You should also pay attention to the latest viral trends and challenges on TikTok. Creating content based around trending memes, dances, songs, etc. can help get more views and follows. As Sprout Social suggests, put your own unique spin on trends to stand out. Collaborating with other creators can introduce your content to their followers as well.
Posting consistently is key – aim to post multiple short, high-quality videos per day, especially when starting out. The more content you put out, the more chances for your account to get noticed. Stick to a regular posting schedule to keep your existing followers engaged too.
Source: https://buffer.com/library/how-to-get-followers-on-tiktok/
Making TikTok a Healthy Part of Your Life
While TikTok can have some negative effects, it’s possible to use it in a healthy way by setting boundaries and managing your time on the app. Here are some tips:
Set limits for how much time you spend scrolling through TikTok each day. You can use the app’s built-in screen time management tools to set daily limits, or rely on your own self-control. It’s generally recommended to spend no more than 2 hours per day on social media.
Avoid mindlessly scrolling first thing in the morning or right before bed. These times of day are important for other activities like getting ready, meals, work/school, and sleep.
Turn off notifications so you aren’t constantly interrupted by TikTok alerts throughout the day. Set specific times to check the app instead.
Follow accounts that inspire and educate you, not just entertain you. Curate your For You page by regularly liking, commenting, sharing, and following content you find valuable.
Be mindful of how you feel when watching certain videos. If you notice frequent upward social comparisons causing envy or inadequacy, reconsider who you follow or how much time you spend on the app.
Actively engage by liking, commenting on, or duetting videos instead of just passively watching. Creating content can also allow you to meaningfully interact with the community.
Take occasional breaks from the app, such as a “TikTok detox” for a weekend or week. This can reset your habits and allow you to reevaluate how you want to use the platform.
By being intentional about how and when you use TikTok, you can make it a healthy part of your media diet instead of an endless distraction.
