As technology reshapes daily life, it also changes the way people connect. Virtual interaction is replacing real-world encounters: with a single tap, anyone can join a livestream, meet strangers across continents, and observe different cultures without ever leaving home.
TikTok is perhaps the clearest example of this shift. Once dominated by teenagers, the platform is now increasingly populated by older users — people who watch live videos for hours, chat with strangers, and even record clips of their own. Why is this happening? And what risks come with it?
Patrul.az spoke with psychologist Ayten Alekperova about the trend.
“The phone replaces movement and social contact”
According to Alekperova, many older adults turn to TikTok out of loneliness and shrinking social activity.
“One person recently told me that their elderly parent spends days and nights on TikTok and even accidentally uploaded a photo of themselves,” she said. “Older people may not understand technology well, but they use it to avoid boredom. That’s why we see accidental posts, awkward content, and oversharing.”
As people age, maintaining an active social life becomes harder. They go out less, attend fewer events, and digital platforms become the easiest way to fill emotional gaps.
There is also a physical dimension:
“The most harmful aspect is the lack of movement. When an older person lies down with a phone for hours, the risk of numbness, poor circulation, and other complications increases,” Alekperova noted.
Re-training the brain: “I control the platform – not the other way around”
To avoid dependency and algorithmic pressure, Alekperova says older users need a conscious mindset: social media is a tool, not a master.
“Many people act impulsively – ‘what’s the big deal,’ ‘everyone does it.’ But once a person starts programming their own behavior, they become less vulnerable to manipulation,” she said. “Emotional control is essential. Everything you do online leaves a trace.”
She draws a telling comparison:
“Two years ago, many criticized everything they saw on TikTok. Now the same people shrug and say, ‘well, that’s life.’ This shows how easily external information can reprogram perception.”
When social media shapes behavior – and why it’s dangerous
Excessive TikTok use, Alekperova warns, gradually blurs personal boundaries. People stop questioning their actions, become more trusting of random messages, and react impulsively:
“This lowers collective awareness. People snap at each other, argue, and get pulled into conflicts. Communication breaks down, and social behavior becomes distorted.”
Sensitivity to manipulation varies from person to person – depending on temperament, emotional state, and even astro-psychological traits, she says. But one rule applies to everyone:
“If the mind is trained for self-control, TikTok’s manipulative effects don’t work.”
Conclusion
The rise of older adults on TikTok stems largely from loneliness, reduced mobility, and the search for connection. But platforms designed for entertainment can subtly influence behavior and emotions.
Psychologists emphasize a simple principle: treat social media like any other tool – use it, but don’t let it use you.
