Well before TikTok’s rise to fame, online influencers were making their mark on YouTube and Facebook. These digital trailblazers—modern-day celebrities—captured millions with their relatable, often quirky personas and niche focuses like beauty, fitness, music, or gaming. Fast forward to today, and TikTok’s popularity is the culmination of this influencer boom, wrapped in shorter, snappier bursts.
Many influencers are fun, engaging, and occasionally educational. However, these digital spaces have morphed into potentially exploitative environments. The downside? A toxic mix of unrealistic standards and unrelenting comparison that breeds perfectionism, affecting university performance in concerning ways.
Perfectly Imperfect: The Cult of Perfectionism
Enter the culture of perfectionism. Gen Z, already navigating a complex world, now faces an additional scrutiny layer through the relentless social media lens. Influencers with chiselled abs and seemingly perfect lives set an unrealistic benchmark for “normal.” Bombarded with diet culture trends and beauty fads, these images skew perceptions of attainable reality.
This perfectionist culture doesn’t remain confined to appearances. It seeps into academic life, where the pressure to achieve flawless results becomes overwhelming. The terror that anything less than perfect equates to failure paralyses many students, stunting their ability to engage deeply with their studies. Instead of experimenting and learning from mistakes—a crucial part of the educational journey—they find themselves trapped by the fear of falling short.
The Digital Distraction
Even more concerning is the addictive nature of these platforms. Though long-term studies are still in the works, evidence shows that apps like TikTok are designed to keep users endlessly scrolling through bite-sized entertainment. The cost? For many students, it’s their ability to focus and engage in deep, thoughtful work.
Excessive social media consumption is linked to elevated stress levels and disrupted sleep patterns. Recognising its disruptive impact, some students have taken drastic measures like deleting the app during crunch periods.
Take-Home Message: Finding Balanced Horizons
While TikTok and similar platforms offer avenues for creativity and entertainment, it’s crucial to acknowledge their profound influence—both positive and negative. Striving for perfection based on meticulously curated social media snippets is fraught with pitfalls. When navigating university life, this can erode anyone’s capacity to concentrate on meaningful academic engagement and foster deep, critical thinking.
What’s the antidote? Striking a balance is essential. Leveraging digital wellbeing tools, setting daily screen limits, and embracing imperfections are steps in the right direction. Remember, authentic success isn’t about flawless execution but continuous learning and growth.