A report has suggested that popular video sharing app TikTok is linked to a rise of tic symptoms in teens.

Researchers published an article in the August issue of the journal Movement Disorders, claiming that cases of unexplained tics developing in young girls could be triggered by watching others with Tourette syndrome or other movement disorders on Tik Tok.

Data from paediatric hospitals around the world found that referrals for tic-like behaviours “experienced a dramatic increase” during the pandemic, “almost exclusively” in girls aged 12 to 25, according to the study. bet365 – online sportfogadás

The article noted:

“Some teenage girls report increased consumption of such videos [TikToks with the hashtag #Tourettes] prior to symptom onset, while others have posted videos and information about their movements and sounds on social media sites. They report that they gain peer support, recognition and a sense of belonging from this exposure.”

“Those TikTok tic patients, they have the most explosive tics right in the office, which is kind of unusual,” said Dr. Katie Kompoliti, a professor of neurology and movement disorders specialist at Rush University Medical Center.

Dr Kompoliti’s research suggested some may have started mimicking what they saw, it was spreading “spontaneously through the group” without the patients being able to control it in an example of “mass sociogenic illness”.

“The patients I saw in clinic had real disease. I can’t account for everybody out there on TikTok and what their intentions were and what their disease was,” said Dr. Kompoliti.

However a second group of academics has dismissed those claims pointing out flaws in the papers argument. nyerőgépes játékok online ingyen

According to them the paper cites eco-anxiety as causing a rise in Tourettes, but does not actual define or measure eco-anxiety, nor linking it to the TS symptoms.

Experts said it was important to note other factors like depression and stress pre-existed among those affected.

TikTok influencer, Glen Cooney, criticised scientists for excluding voices like his in their research. gaminator facebook

“We need to be careful how we go about this,” he said. “It has taken years to get to a stage where we can change people’s perception about tics. But it can be changed back just like that from studies like this,”

“They need to use us instead of coming up with stuff against us. They should reach out to us to use our platforms to try to teach people instead of blaming us.”