Why I Don’t Have TikTok

In a world where social media seems to dominate our every waking moment, it might come as a surprise to some that I don’t have TikTok. The fact that I have been using, promoting, and even made it a career to be on social media since 2008 makes me feel like I sound like a hypocrite. But the truth is, I’ve made a conscious decision not to use the app and there are several good reasons for that.

First of all, I’ve noticed that social media can be incredibly addictive, and TikTok is no exception. With its endless scroll of short, engaging videos, it’s easy to get lost in the app and lose track of time. I value my time and productivity too much to risk getting sucked into the TikTok vortex.

Secondly, I’m not convinced that TikTok is a particularly healthy or positive space, at least for me. While there are certain creators who use the platform to spread joy, creativity, and positivity, there are also plenty of negative and toxic trends and behaviors that can be harmful to people’s mental health and self-esteem.

Thirdly, I’m wary of the data privacy concerns associated with TikTok. There have been concerns raised about how user data is collected, stored, and used. While TikTok has taken steps to address these concerns, I prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to my personal information.

Finally, and the biggest reason why I don’t have TikTok is that I simply don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything significant by not having TikTok. While I’m sure there are some entertaining and informative videos on the platform, I don’t believe that it’s an essential part of modern life. There are plenty of other ways to stay entertained and informed that don’t involve social media. Plus, I feel like it’s too much for me to maintain another social media account. I even deleted my main Twitter and Facebook accounts. I only have a Facebook account for groups. And I only maintain Instagram and YouTube.

That’s basically it. I don’t have TikTok because I value my time, my mental health, my privacy, and my independence. While I understand why others might enjoy the app, it’s simply not for me, and I’m okay with that. I prefer to live my life on my own terms, without feeling the need to conform to the latest social media trends.